LONDON-Former Newcastle United Manager, Kevin Keegan has thrown his weight behind Nigerian Entrepreneurs who are working hard to get enough money to buy the troubled Premiership club.
NVA management boss, Chris Nathaniel, the man behind the deal told KickOffNigeria.com that the former England international has supported the bid by Nigerians to take over the club.
“We have a big plus in the immediate past manager of the club, Kevin Keegan who has supported Nigerians bid to buy Newcastle. He loves the club with great passion and he is ready to do anything for the club to remain in the Premiership. He told me he is in support or our bid to buy the embattled club,î Nathaniel said.
Nathaniel also revealed for the first time that four prominent Nigerians are behind the bid to buy over the club.
“Four prominent entrepreneurs are involved in this deal for now but they donít want their identities to be revealed for now. They have contributed 350 million pounds so far for the project.
“But we are still beckoning to other well to do Nigerians to join this lofty and result oriented venture so that we can beat the deadline before another person or persons get the advantage over us (Nigeria) in this race to buy the club. We are targeting another 100 to 150 million pounds to make a strong offer of £450m to £500m to seal this deal once and for all.
“You know I initially said £450m but I think it may be okay to have another £50m to buy players when the deal is done.
“Keagan told me he may consider returning to the club if we eventually buy the club. This really renewed our strength and resolve to buy the club if you consider that Keegan is a house old name in England and a powerful and influential figure whenever Newcastle United is talked about,” Nathaniel told only KickOffNigeria.com on Tuesday.
“I got lots of goodwill messages from Nigerians in both in UK, Nigeria and in America. Everybody is very excited about the prospect of Nigeriaís consortium of owning a Premier League Football Club,” he disclosed.
Nathaniel reeled out the benefits Nigeria would gain if the countryís Entrepreneurs eventually buy over the club.
“We expect Newcastle United Football Club to be Nigeriaís favoured second team. We will also make youth clubs in Nigeria a feeder team to Newcastle. Then when the structure is put right the club itself will generate enough fund to sustain itself.
“It will also bring good Public Relations for Nigeria because a lot of negative things were rumoured about the country which is not true. This will help rebuild confidence in Nigeria in the world.
“If we can pull this through it will a massive boost for the country and Africa as a whole. I am confident that Nigeria wonít let this opportunity slip off their hands,” Nathaniel disclosed to KickOffNigeria.com.
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