NIALL QUINN arrived in the North East last night with a view to completing his prospective takeover of Sunderland. The former Ireland international, who is leading a consortium attempting to purchase the majority shareholding of Bob Murray, flew to Teesside Airport and was due to meet the club’s former chairman in an undisclosed North Yorkshire location.
Reports in Wearside earlier yesterday suggested that key members of Quinn’s Irish-based bidding team had withdrawn their support, a notion ridiculed by the former Sunderland striker. Quinn’s team are understood to have submitted their formal offer last week for the club, who remain around £40 million in debt, and subsequent delays have been because of haggling over figures.
“The idea that any member of my consortium has withdrawn is woefully inaccurate,” Quinn said before his meeting with Murray. “They are as committed as I am. Our finance is in place, our due diligence is completed and I’m here tonight to overcome the very last obstacle.”
Sir John Hall has received an approach from an American investment company to sell his 28.8 per cent share in Newcastle United. The club’s former chairman has entered negotiations with Polygon Investments, which has worldwide assets of around £1.35 billion and while the outcome is uncertain, a resolution may be reached this week. A contest for control could follow.
“We’ve been approached before by people but haven’t taken anything forward,” Hall said from his Spanish home yesterday. “We’re in talks now but I cannot say anything more.”