The Takeover Thread - Duchatelet Finally Sells (Jan 2020)

Henry Irving said:

“I think the price now is not going to hold up the deal which has got to be good news.”

When asked if he knew how much the bid was Murray explained he did know but wasn’t allowed to say.

So much for NLA saying there has been no bids. He's off my ITK list.

)

3blokes said:

Mendonca In Asdas said:

Forget the takeover, I fancy a pot noodle.

I can feel a tangent coming on

Has to be a Bombay Bad Boy...

Henry Irving said:

“I have to sign a non-disclosure agreement so that means I can’t reveal names or certain other information.

“As far as I know, and I’m not kept in touch blow by blow, we still have two interested parties, I still believe one interested party is far closer to doing a deal because I think they are very close on price with Roland.

“I think the price now is not going to hold up the deal which has got to be good news.”

When asked if he knew how much the bid was Murray explained he did know but wasn’t allowed to say.

On timing Murray said that he still felt February was the most likely month

“As far as timing is concerned, I did say to our staff down at the training ground that I hoped or thought February was the most likely month. As typically happens, once the transfer window is closed we have an interesting situation. Charlton and probably most clubs in this division, lose a substantial amount of money each month, so the onus is on Roland to do a deal as soon as possible but the onus isn’t so much on the buyer because they can’t influence the club too much other than relaunching it. January ending does remove one obvious good point to get involved.”

When asked if Roland Duchatelet would keep the ground and training ground

“I heard this thing that Roland was keeping The Valley and selling the club, no, not that I’m aware.

“To my knowledge this (the sale) would be lock, stock and barrel.

“The training ground for any buyer is quite key as well. They realise that for a club like us the academy is essential and I think Jason (Morgan, chair of the Charlton Athletic Community Trust) is aware that the Trust is very much one of the assets which they (potential buyers) feel is linked to Charlton and can be expanded even further than it has been already.”

When asked if the new owners would consider a move away from The Valley

“From the talks I’ve had it has never once been even mentioned.”

Murray added he would look to ensure fans remain updated during the process.

For more on the Fans’ Forum and to read minutes from previous meetings click here


You can stick your bite sized thread up your arse

Encouraging news just when we needed it @AFKABartram. Thanks!

Just one thought..

If price is no longer a factor in holding up the deal I wonder what is? Made me think that this could be done and dusted before the 21 Feb date many of you have branded about.

flyingkiwiDK said:

Henry Irving said:

“I have to sign a non-disclosure agreement so that means I can’t reveal names or certain other information.

“As far as I know, and I’m not kept in touch blow by blow, we still have two interested parties, I still believe one interested party is far closer to doing a deal because I think they are very close on price with Roland.

“I think the price now is not going to hold up the deal which has got to be good news.”

When asked if he knew how much the bid was Murray explained he did know but wasn’t allowed to say.

On timing Murray said that he still felt February was the most likely month

“As far as timing is concerned, I did say to our staff down at the training ground that I hoped or thought February was the most likely month. As typically happens, once the transfer window is closed we have an interesting situation. Charlton and probably most clubs in this division, lose a substantial amount of money each month, so the onus is on Roland to do a deal as soon as possible but the onus isn’t so much on the buyer because they can’t influence the club too much other than relaunching it. January ending does remove one obvious good point to get involved.”

When asked if Roland Duchatelet would keep the ground and training ground

“I heard this thing that Roland was keeping The Valley and selling the club, no, not that I’m aware.

“To my knowledge this (the sale) would be lock, stock and barrel.

“The training ground for any buyer is quite key as well. They realise that for a club like us the academy is essential and I think Jason (Morgan, chair of the Charlton Athletic Community Trust) is aware that the Trust is very much one of the assets which they (potential buyers) feel is linked to Charlton and can be expanded even further than it has been already.”

When asked if the new owners would consider a move away from The Valley

“From the talks I’ve had it has never once been even mentioned.”

Murray added he would look to ensure fans remain updated during the process.

For more on the Fans’ Forum and to read minutes from previous meetings click here


You can stick your bite sized thread up your arse

Encouraging news just when we needed it @AFKABartram. Thanks!

Just one thought..

If price is no longer a factor in holding up the deal I wonder what is? Made me think that this could be done and dusted before the 21 Feb date many of you have branded about.

The way payments are structured. Maybe Roland will keep "performance based bonuses," e.g. if we're promoted, get to the Prem, etc., like some of the old directors have. How to handle someone like Vetokele, or maybe Tex or Ceballos whose contracts were cancelled but whom, it has been insinuated, they were paid to cancel those contracts (and we might still be paying that pay-off in installments). Maybe Roland wants player sell-on bonuses. It could also have to do with financing on the buyers' side.

And "the price not being an issue" does not necessarily mean a final dollar/pound/Euro amount has been agreed, it could just be that they're very close.

These are all guesses. We clearly have people with very good sourcing on this. But as has been said many times, there's any number of small things that can hold a deal like this up.

We have three weeks to go in February. I still think it's cutting it close personally. But whether it's next week or next month, I feel a real confidence (based on comments from people on here and Murray's comments) that the club will be sold soon.

ShootersHillGuru said:

I think Murray’s comments must be pretty close to the truth. He’s going to look very foolish if what he’s told the staff, Trust and Fans Forum is too way off the mark.

Yeah I'm thinking the same thing. Obviously he's been around this club a long time and knows what's what to some degree, so I trust his assessment on this kind of thing. That's not to say he comes out of this as one of the good guys, but I do appreciate what he's done over the last month. And it should be noted he is far better at the Chief Exec/CEO/whatever other roles he's stepping in to than Katrien ever was. Just in a month it feels like conversations with fans and staff have drastically improved, a reminder of just how bad KM was at that part of her job.

Stig said:

Sounds like Murray really believes it and is trying to reposition himself as a good guy again.

Murrarys been shitty over the years and I feared he was still a bit odd but I suggest taking this one at face value. There's not much tactical depth to it.

He's communicating and the news is now encouraging.

It also means he might be gone when the takeover happens.

I'm personally not too bothered either way by that.

He's been a nob but maybe if he wasn't the non executive or whatever the hell he is, things might have actually ended up being a lot worse. We won't ever know that though.

It just appears like he's done f*ck all to help. Maybe that's not quite the case.

ShootersHillGuru said:

I think Murray’s comments must be pretty close to the truth. He’s going to look very foolish if what he’s told the staff, Trust and Fans Forum is too way off the mark.

I can't think of a reason why Murray would deliberately issue false or misleading information

It doesn't mean that the takeover is 100% guaranteed of course, there's always the chance of delays or unforeseen obstacles. Now we've passed the transfer window, there's certainly less incentive for a quick resolution from the buyers.

The Red Robin said:

NapaAddick said:

It's just a matter of time now, it seems.

Those comments by Murray are more promising than the ones from the other week.

Edging closer and closer to that £72m. ;-)

Get it straight! £77.5 !! ;-)

Have we been sold yet?

I have to say

Super noodles > pot noodles

Brilliant news to wake up to.

Pot noodles are okay but there’s always that residue on the bottom where the hot water hasn’t seeped all the way through quickly enough to convert it from dry to wet and edible

This may not be an issue if you use a microwave.