Newcastle United’s owners would be warmly welcomed at Oostende as they’re linked with a takeover of the Belgian club.
That’s according to Het Laatste Nieuws, who cover comments from the city’s mayor Bart Tommelein today, who has offered to mediate any potential talks if required.
HLN reports that Oostende are ‘in dirty papers’ both off the pitch but also on it, with the club in ‘troubled waters’ and the current owners, American PMG, keen to move them on.
Talks with several investment groups are already ongoing and those in charge of Newcastle are believed to be among those interested, with several reports indicating that they recently made a trip to Belgium ahead of a potential bid.
They’re believed to be keen on the Belgian side as a potential sister club to Newcastle as they look to build a group similar to what those in charge at Manchester City have done.
And it seems their interest, and subsequent takeover, would be warmly welcomed, at least if Tommelein’s comments are to be believed.
“As a city, we are a bit involved after all,” he said.
“Because the grandstand that KVO rents from Alychlo, Marc Coucke’s company, is on land that we give on a long lease.
“It is important that this takeover has a good outcome. And if necessary, I am happy to mediate in those talks.
“Of course, such a takeover is something we are not directly involved in, that is fodder for those companies. It is not my intention to take a managerial role. But if the city can help, gladly.
“KV Oostende must not disappear in professional football. If that happens, the ground lease agreement with the city states that that new stand will become our property.
“But we are not much use for that: then the city will have a grandstand, but no football club. I can only hope that there will soon be a solution that all parties can agree to. This in the interest of the club, but also of our city.”
