The Journal: Barry Moat has informed Alan Shearer his bid to buy Newcastle United will either succeed or fail at the start of next week as he tries to persuade the banks to loan him the money needed to complete a takeover.
Shearer urgently contacted the Tyneside businessman on his return from a family holiday yesterday following reports Joe Kinnear is set to be appointed Magpies manager.
Significantly, Shearer believes Kinnear will take the job next week if Moat can not reach an agreement, even though the former Wimbledon man criticised United supporters over the summer for attacking owner Mike Ashley and mocked their hero-worship of Shearer and former manager Kevin Keegan.
Shearer is increasingly alarmed by recent developments at St James’s Park and fears his attempt to become permanent manager could be doomed as Ashley prepares to take the club off the market for the second time in eight months.