[Archived] Rovers Might Have Been Sold?

[patrickvalery]

Sam has made several references to the takeover in the media. He wouldn't even touch the subject unless he was confident it would go through.

Thought the same. In fact, from what i've seen and heard of Sam's comments, they have been pretty encouraging in that respect. He has spoken with a higher level of certainty recently. A trait he didn't display whilst S.Shah was at the negotiating table.

I'm yet to be convinced entirely by Mr Syed. His recent publicity has ranked somewhere between Mike Ashley and Gold / Sullivan. But i would suggest (as many have) that this new silence shows he learns the error of his ways pretty quickly. I'm sure this has been aided by some gentle suggestion from the Rovers hierarchy. That or he pays close attention to a particular message board !

[PAFELL]

Thought the same. In fact, from what i've seen and heard of Sam's comments, they have been pretty encouraging in that respect. He has spoken with a higher level of certainty recently. A trait he didn't display whilst S.Shah was at the negotiating table.

I'm yet to be convinced entirely by Mr Syed. His recent publicity has ranked somewhere between Mike Ashley and Gold / Sullivan. But i would suggest (as many have) that this new silence shows he learns the error of his ways pretty quickly. I'm sure this has been aided by some gentle suggestion from the Rovers hierarchy. That or he pays close attention to a particular message board !

I think it is possible the club are not totally confident. After all, they have left the door open to talk to other interested parties. Whilst that door remains open, the possibility is that a takeover by Syed, will not happen. As I do not know enough about Syed to either hope he takes over the club or not. The right person for the club is what matters, Syed or whoever.

[Craigman]

Interesting take on the takeover from Sam Wallace of the Independent

[thenodrog]

Interesting take on the takeover from Sam Wallace of the Independent

Wise words. I can understand Beckham as a worldwide marketing tool rather than a footballer, but if we can simply tread water we will actually move forward as the debt laden clubs come back to our level. Pompey have crashed and burned already whilst West Ham, Pompey, Liverpool, Newcastle, Birmingham, Villa and even MU have brougt varying financial problems to themselves which will only weaken them.

[philipl]

In fairness to Ahsan Ali Syed, every pronouncement he has made has set paying off the club's debt as first priority.

[CrazyIvan]

Interesting take on the takeover from Sam Wallace of the Independent

An excellent article. Also, the bit about Arteta is spot on...

[Eddie]

Nicely written and puts forward some good points.

[Iceman]

Its a good article, but he mentions the 100mill pounds, and then refers to the 20mill debt.

as far as what i have read, Syed is willing to cover the debt(not included in the 100mill set aside for transfers), which also excludes the price to buy the club.

Please correct me if im wrong about that.

[Eddie]

That's true, but I don't think he's really trying to break-down the numbers.

[Craigman]

Daily Mail on Manchester City spending and the reasons behind it

So, would I be right in thinking we would not be able to spend much from next Summer ?

Maybe the takeover needs to go through before the end of this window !

[Hughesy]

Good article….BUT he needs to understand one or two things.

The £20m debt IS being cleared separate – not as part of the £100m.

The £100m isn’t limited, and he has made suggestions it could be more if need be.

Also Beckham – we wouldn’t really be signing him as a Top player, clearly it would be to use as a Marketing tool. Perhaps that Honda fella might be a better option, cheaper, big back in Asia & a very good player with lots more potential at just 24.

Kamy - Have you spoken to Syed's team lately?! Anyone heard anything new yet?

[den]

Interesting take on the takeover from Sam Wallace of the Independent

"With respect to Beckham, what Blackburn really do not need right now is the highest-paid 35-year-old in world football. "

Yep, exactly right.

If this takeover happens - and I certainly hope it does [based on the little information we have] - Then I'm pretty sure Syed will get good giudance from JW et al. Used the right way, it would certainly set us up for the forseeable future.

[Craigman]

Do we know if Syed's people are still doing the due dilligence at Ewood Park, or are they over in Jersey carrying out the work ?

[Mike Graham]

and did Syed's boys go to St Andrew's on Saturday?

[only2garners]

Do we know if Syed's people are still doing the due dilligence at Ewood Park, or are they over in Jersey carrying out the work ?

I've no idea but I can't see much need in them spending much time in Jersey. The nature of due diligence is in checking everything about a business and the documents they will need to see and the people they need to talk to will all be at Ewood or Brockhall and not Jersey.

[PAFELL]

Good article….BUT he needs to understand one or two things.

The £20m debt IS being cleared separate – not as part of the £100m.

The £100m isn’t limited, and he has made suggestions it could be more if need be.

Also Beckham – we wouldn’t really be signing him as a Top player, clearly it would be to use as a Marketing tool. Perhaps that Honda fella might be a better option, cheaper, big back in Asia & a very good player with lots more potential at just 24.

Kamy - Have you spoken to Syed's team lately?! Anyone heard anything new yet?

Having Beckham at Rovers is in my view pathetic and a waste of money. It would probable cost more to pay beckham than could be generated in marketing. Success on the field generates its own marketing.

Rovers do not need to get into the top 4, good if they could. They just need to be able to stay away from the relegation zone, stay clear from debt. If it means they are competing as an above mid table side for awhile, so be it. The occasional cup run as well.

The prem is a time bomb waiting to go off. So many clubs are in debt. Soon clubs will have to get rid of players for far far less than they paid for them, players will have to accept less in wages. Simply because the current state of the game is unsustainable.

[philipl]

Sam has made several references to the takeover in the media. He wouldn't even touch the subject unless he was confident it would go through.

I think this is a very accurate comment.

[PAFELL]

In fairness to Ahsan Ali Syed, every pronouncement he has made has set paying off the club's debt as first priority.

Interesting to know why the club have left the door open for other people to talk to them about a takeover.

[den]

Interesting to know why the club have left the door open for other people to talk to them about a takeover.

Why shouldn't they? Why not keep all options open?

[philipl]

Interesting to know why the club have left the door open for other people to talk to them about a takeover.

The club is in the fortunate position of having at least two bidders and until the ink is dry it is best not to burn all bridges when there is no need to.

There is very considerable exclusivity given to Mr Ali's team- nobody can look at the books and nobody can submit an offer during the four weeks. Being practical, that is all the exclusivity they need if they are confident of having a winning position which I would be in their shoes.

[BuckyRover]

I was going to post the same thing den. It might limit the likelihood of the buyer trying to renegotiate, as they know the seller can go elsewhere.

It could even be standard practice.

[Iceman]

it is somewhat of standard practice, especially in business where there are more than 1 supplier for the same product. As a buyer, you would normally want the best deal, so talking to different suppliers, will allow freedom of movement in terms of who has the better deal.

in this case, the club is keeping the door open, in the event that they cannot agree something with Syed.

There is no point in shutting the door on other interested parties, because you run the risk of them going somewhere else, and if the Syed bid collapses then you have lost the opportunity to run the rule over them.

The way I see it, is that the Syed bid is at a far more advanced stage, and it will be difficult to see the deal not happen. The fee im sure has been agreed upon in principle, the only stumbling block might be irregularities within the Rovers books. However, I will say that if there are any problems, and they not huge problems, then Syed and his team will over look that.

The only way I can see them backing out, is if they come out within the next 2 weeks and confirm that things have stalled, based on whatever they not happy with. Syed has been far too vocal about it all, and he will look really silly if it doesn’t go through. This is why im very confident, that this deal will be completed.

Philip, do you think the reason they have decided to remain quiet, is because if things do go tits up with negotiations, then at least they don’t completely look stupid?

[Guest Kamy100]

People need to just relax a little bit. I have been in contact with Mr Ali's people this morning, I can't reveal what they said because of the media blackout that they have imposed, other than then the due diligence process in ongoing. The deal has not hit the buffers. They are of a view that at this stage "actions are stronger than words".

Remember this could go on for four weeks, just because there is no media comment does not mean that there are problems.

[philipl]

The only unusual thing about this is that anything was being said at all at this stage but football is not a "normal" business.

They are not saying anything now because there is nothing more to add until all the technical work is done.

Everybody, fans included, need due diligence to be done professionally.

It is not just about checking all the facts and details, it is also the how the buyer gets to know the business he is buying intimately and understanding how the business is really run on a day-to-day basis. The new owner will form opinions and make decisions about running the business in future so it is in all our interests that this due diligence is done well.

Therefore it is far better to keep all eyes on the real matter at hand than talk to press people who after their initial curiosity last week will now only be looking for new angles which inevitably will be negative in the absence of substantial news.

[Craigman]

I am wondering if Sam Allardyce's comments about wanting to finish all transfer business by Friday and the tentative deal for Popov might be a hurry up message to the potential new owners. He has put pressure on the board before.