Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nehayan’s Bin Zayed group is reportedly trying to end Mike Ashley’s tenure at Newcastle United.
Fans, desperate to see new ownership, would laud anyone who can wrestle control away from Ashley.
The high street tycoon has long-been derided on Tyneside, and proclaimed himself to be the “pantomime villain” to the Geordie faithful.
But should a sale go through, the billionaire could go from pantomime villain to swashbuckling hero at another club.
Bolton Wanderers, one of the founding members of the football league, are currently in financial dire straits.
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Recently forced into administration, with the real prospect of ceasing to exist at all, the club are ripe for a rescue mission.
Ashley, who has a reputation for transforming the fortunes of struggling high street chains, would be an ideal fit at the Lancashire club.
Like him, or not, there is no doubt he has put Newcastle on very firm financial footing, with the club relatively debt-free.
He could buy Bolton for a fraction of Newcastle’s cost, and adopt a similar strategy to save a very important club.
His Newcastle strategy could breathe life back into Bolton
He could start with a blank canvas, using his Newcastle blueprint to bring the Trotters back from the brink.
He would even be able to put some of his more contentious ideas into action there.
For example, renaming the stadium. It was an utter disaster at Newcastle. But Bolton, no strangers to a commercially named stadium, could change to the Sports Direct Arena in a heartbeat.
Advertising hoardings for his Sports Direct brand could adorn every available space at the stadium.
A transfer policy of buying young, selling big would be welcomed, albeit on a slightly smaller scale.
Having his own money-men in place to oversee things would be a given, considering it is under the guidance of administrators now.
A manager of his choosing – who would not question and argue his every decision – could be inserted.
The main difference, however, would be the likely reception of the fans.
Bolton fans would surely greet his rescue package with adulation. He would be seen as a saviour.
The result would see Ashley rise from the ashes of Newcastle, to be the hero that saved Bolton Wanderers.
Surely that would be a win for all concerned.
Of course, there’s every chance that Ashley wants nothing to do with football once he leaves Newcastle, whenever that may be.