Further African Interest?

from nufc.com

After initially being dismissed as a email-type scam when first mentioned, Tuesday’s papers have carried more coverage of the reported £350m bid for the club by a group of Nigerian businessmen.

From The Shields Gazette, Tuesday:

“Two of an eight-strong consortium, which yesterday made their interest in the crisis club public, are intending to take in Saturday’s home game against Blackburn Rovers.”

Their spokesman Chris Nathaniel - taking time off from being the agent of Obafemi Martins - is quoted as saying:

“These people are not messing about. They are genuine, highly-regarded businessmen in Nigeria who want to make a deal happen.

“They will bring back Kevin Keegan immediately as manager and there will be £75m made available to buy players.

“The interest in The Premier League in Nigeria and the whole of Africa is huge and buying an English club is seen as the next big step for a football-mad country.

“We have made contact with people at Newcastle and let our interest be known but our group has not yet spoken to Mike Ashley himself.

“The ball is in Ashley’s court. The money is there and if he is determined to sell, these men will be round the table with him as soon as he gives the word.

“They realise how important Keegan’s presence is to the fans and they will be delighted to bring him back.”

Nathaniel had earlier told the media:

“All along I have been working hard to get wealthy and football-loving Nigerian entrepreneurs to buy the club since Mike Ashley indicated his willingness to sell the club to the person, people or entrepreneurs who can meet the £400m selling price of the club.

“Right now I am happy to tell you that well-meaning Nigerians have responded, and the consortium of Nigerian entrepreneurs has so far contributed £350m to buy the club.

“Ashley has stood his ground that he won’t sell the club until the money is raised to the asking price of £400m. So what that means is that we need to raise another £50m or £100m to shut the door behind the other top Arab companies who are also interested in the club.

“The Arab companies have also indicated interest and made offers – but they haven’t met the asking price too.”

Nathaniel failed to mention whether “these people” had been in touch with KK and asked him if he want to return….

In recent days there have been a variety of other un-named parties mentioned as being interested, ranging from US, Russian & Chinese investors to Arab-based links.