Source: FOOTYMAD
Is Ashley Serious About Staying On?
With NUFC back in the big time, the pressure seems to be off Mike Ashley for the time being. But with Liverpool and Blackburn set to be sold ... and all quiet at St James' Park ... perhaps Ashley IS here to stay. Obviously Liverpool is sure to attract the money men, but what about Blackburn? LIVERPOOL A takeover of Liverpool appears increasingly imminent after the club and a number of interested parties alerted the Premier League to a possible change in ownership. Under tougher new rules on club ownership announced by the Premier League in response to Portsmouth's financial meltdown, all prospective owners are obliged to give the league 10 days' notice of a takeover and prove they have the funds to sustain the club. It is understood Liverpool and a number of parties contemplating a takeover - including Chinese businessman Kenny Huang - have already contacted the Premier League to alert them a change of ownership could be imminent. Under the rules, the Premier League will have to be given 10 days' notice of any takeover, and the prospective owners will be required to have a face-to-face meeting with league chiefs to convince them they have enough money for the season to come. Other rule changes will see clubs having to provide evidence every quarter that they are up to date with tax payments to Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs - and they will give permission for HMRC to give details on any non-payment directly to the league. BLACKBURN ROVERS A wealthy Indian businessman has emerged as a possible buyer for Blackburn Rovers. Ahasan Ali Syed, head of the investment company Western Gulf Advisory, is understood to have opened talks with Blackburn's advisers at investment bank Rothschild. Syed is not the only person to have expressed an interest in Rovers, however - other prties have been in touch over recent months about a possible takeover. Blackburn chairman John Williams said: "There have been a number of interested parties for some time and discussions are ongoing."
