Many Newcastle United fans are excited by the takeover news that Mike Ashley’s Fraser Group have settled their Belgian tax bill.
According to the Press Association (via ChronicleLive), the group have revealed that they have finally resolved a 674 million euro (£588 million) dispute with the Belgian tax authority.
Apparently a decision was made to settle the matters due to the uncertainty affecting the Tyneside club’s finances, in other words hinting that a proposed takeover could be impacting the Magpies financially.
Last year, the company’s financial results were delayed after the retail group was hit by the tax claim shortly before its annual figures were due to be announced. It subsequently split with its accounting firm Grant Thornton, replacing them with auditor RSM in October.
The CEO of Sports Direct also told the shareholders that the company was not eligibly accepted for the Bank of England’s Covid Corporate Financing Facility (CCFF).
These members of the Toon faithful were excited when they heard the news on Twitter, suspecting that it could mean that the takeover is a step nearer completion…
Announcement has to be imminent surely
— Jack Chaytor (@jchaytor16) April 24, 2020
*announcement incoming*
— Alex (@MaxwellA98) April 24, 2020
Another bright sign…..its coming….
— Rob Gilbert-Ovens (@Thegeordiefaith) April 24, 2020
It happening isn’t it. Probably already has happened. Just awaiting the news #cans
— Stephen Buchan (@buchansm) April 24, 2020
— scott (@howay_the_lad) April 24, 2020
This could be significant!
— David Lee (@geordiecrew77) April 24, 2020