[mrfunktastick]

Originally posted by Sheer Class:
You sure?

<BLOCKQUOTE> Paul Allen: No interest in taking over at Saints

BILLIONAIRE Paul Allen is NOT going to be making a formal bid for Saints.

Allen's spokesman, America-based Michael Nank, has categorically denied the Microsoft co-founder is interested in taking over at St Mary's.

Nank was speaking after reports linked Allen with a possible interest in Premiership club Blackburn Rovers.

Nank, a spokesman for Allen's Vulcan Inc investment group, told the worldwide Press Association group that his boss is not looking to join the growing amount of Americans in English football.

"Mr Allen is not interested nor involved in any kind of takeover offer for Blackburn Rovers or any other English football club".

Nank's statement to PA last night backed up an email he sent to the Daily Echo over TWO weeks ago.

Replying to our question as to whether Allen was still interested in making a formal bid for Saints, Nank told the Echo on Wednesday, May 30: "Paul has no interest in making a bid on Southampton - or any other football club."

In a further email to Echo business editor Gareth Lewis a few days later, Nank added that Allen was never interested in investing in Saints.

Trying not to chuckle too much </BLOCKQUOTE>

all that says is Mr Allen isn't personally going to buy the club

it does not say his investment company "Vulcan Ventures" doesn't have an interest!

[mrfunktastick]

Originally posted by Sheer Class:
You sure?

<BLOCKQUOTE> Paul Allen: No interest in taking over at Saints

BILLIONAIRE Paul Allen is NOT going to be making a formal bid for Saints.

Allen's spokesman, America-based Michael Nank, has categorically denied the Microsoft co-founder is interested in taking over at St Mary's.

Nank was speaking after reports linked Allen with a possible interest in Premiership club Blackburn Rovers.

Nank, a spokesman for Allen's Vulcan Inc investment group, told the worldwide Press Association group that his boss is not looking to join the growing amount of Americans in English football.

"Mr Allen is not interested nor involved in any kind of takeover offer for Blackburn Rovers or any other English football club".

Nank's statement to PA last night backed up an email he sent to the Daily Echo over TWO weeks ago.

Replying to our question as to whether Allen was still interested in making a formal bid for Saints, Nank told the Echo on Wednesday, May 30: "Paul has no interest in making a bid on Southampton - or any other football club."

In a further email to Echo business editor Gareth Lewis a few days later, Nank added that Allen was never interested in investing in Saints.

Trying not to chuckle too much </BLOCKQUOTE>

Directors hope takeover is still on
By Simon Carter


Paul Allen
SAINTS directors are still hopeful Paul Allen WILL make an official takeover bid for the club.

The Daily Echo understands that some board members are still telling supporters that Allen's interest is by no means over.

That's despite his own spokesman, Michael Nanke, revealing to both the Press Association and the Daily Echo that the Microsoft co-founder won't be bidding for the club.

He told the Daily Echo more than a fortnight ago that Allen was not interested in investing in Saints, but this newspaper decided not to publish at the time because we were told by high-level sources that a deal was still quite likely.

But Nanke made a similar comment to the worldwide Press Association on Thursday night.

Saints yesterday declined to comment on Nanke's statements - either to the Echo, on the club's own website or to the Stock Market.

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Some supporters remain hopeful that Nanke's comments are a smokescreen, and that Allen is still very interested.

Despite negotiations starting in January - the Echo believe around five meetings have taken place with Saints officials and English-based intermediaries acting on behalf of Allen.

from the same paper today

they can't make up their minds from one day to the next!

[retired_Sherman6842]

Walcott in 05/06, Bale in 06/07, who's it going to be this season? Which youngster is going to break through the ranks and then be snapped out by a Premiership club?

My money's on McGoldrick or Lallana.

Desperately hoping to keep hold of Surman and Baird in the meantime. Letting Prutton go is a bit sad too, my favourite Saints player of the recent years. On the back of my 03/04 shirt too.

Signing Saganowski :thup:, £640k was it not. Think we should keep hold of Best and Crainie too.

[retired_nafrally]

How come you let Prutts go? He seemed to be a fairly influential player for you.

[retired_vika]

Any updates on Leon Best?

[retired_shaneargy]

Originally posted by Rdysn5:
How come you let Prutts go? He seemed to be a fairly influential player for you.

I assume he was a big earner (in comparison to most other players), out-of-contract and Burley doesn't really rate him.

Totally unrelated, away goals should count in the playoff

[Matt1010]

Think we should keep hold of Best and Crainie too.

Sadly not a case of 'holding' onto them. Both offered new contracts, both rejected.

Best owes us as well after Derby, not so much the penalty but a complete inability to stay onside...ever!!

As for Prutts, yes sad, but last few years ruined by injury and he was one of the ones who wouldnt take a pay cut after relegation, so wages a huge stumbling block I would assume

[powerhouse283]

prutts never quite lived up to his potential, his good games (and there were a few) were rather spread out.

[Heres4Hoping]

The thing I find strange about the Allen takeover is that it is only ever been reported in the Echo that he is going to takeover Saints. Never even been mentioned in a national newspaper or on Sky Sports etc

So I dont understand why he felt the need to release a statement saying that he definately wont take them over.

IMHO this is a clear sign that he is going to buy us.

Does that make sense to any one else but me?

[powerhouse283]

"an" approach has definitely been reported by certain members of the board whether they were reffering to Allen or not is another question. But i don't quite share your hope yet