Magpies takeover saga drawing to close

Jul 1 2009 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

Shearer is itching to get started as manager, having sat idly at home while the sale went through, but he will still

want certain assurances from the new owners before he agrees to become their first managerial appointment.

The 38-year-old does not want to be in charge of a club which has to lose all of its best players in order to balance the books following its drop from the top flight.

Shearer demanded complete control over player retention and a sizeable transfer budget to rebuild the first-team squad before Ashley put the club up for sale last month and he will do exactly the same with the new owners.

One player Shearer will look to sell as soon as his appointment is confirmed is Joey Barton, despite the midfielder’s claim, through his agent Willie McKay, that he wants to stay at Newcastle.

Barton will return for the start of pre-season training today with Chris Hughton in charge of the early fitness work and powerless to prevent the 26-year-old from coming back to work after an eight-week ban at the end of last season following an ugly row with Shearer.

Hughton said: “Everyone apart from the five international players will be back, including Joey. I’ve not spoken to him, but he’ll be back for pre-season training and we’ll take things from there.”

Barton had attracted early interest from Bolton Wanderers, Portsmouth and Blackburn Rovers, but his £60,000-a-week wages are a major problem for potential buyers.