'I can see us being a serious challenger': Newcastle investment edging closer

Newcastle boss Steve Diamond has revealed owner Semore Kurdi’s negotiations with a potential new backer for the club are continuing to progress.

Diamond will head for a family holiday to Majorca on Sunday, 24 hours after Newcastle’s final Premiership game at Leicester, but has in place the recruitment he wants to deliver for the league’s bottom club, which involves adding up to 20 players to the 22 already contracted.

Red Bull have been linked by RugbyPass to a possible investment in the club, although Diamond has previously played down their possible involvement.

Should investment be forthcoming, Diamond believes the city’s rugby club could follow the success of Newcastle United, who have just qualified for the Champions Cup after massive investment from their owners.

Diamond, who dismissed the idea that major investment would allow him to bid for Owen Farrell if the former captain wants to return from France, said: “It is getting close. I get told by Semore Kurdi that there have been extensive talks over the last few days, and hopefully, a decision can be made reasonably soon.

“There is no smoke without fire and the conversations (with an investor) are in the final stages, I have been told, and a decision will be made very quickly.

“Common sense tells us the financial year in rugby ends in July, and a decision by the end of this week would be really helpful to give people some kind of security. I think we could get a decision (by the end of the week), and the mechanics and due process will then take their natural course.”

As for wantaway former England captain Farrell, Diamond said: “I don’t think (Farrell) is a realistic target. From what I understand, three or four Premiership clubs would be open to investment – it’s not just Newcastle. Newcastle put it out there that we were looking for investment, and I think secretly and quietly, other clubs are doing it.

“We have no creditors and are up to date with HMRC and we just need some enthusiasm and some investment. The first thing I would suggest (to new owners) is that they build three statues at the stadium to Sir John Hall, David Thompson and Semore Kurdi (the club’s owners since the game went professional) because for 30 years they have put the money into the club.

“Fair to the players and coaches they have stuck in this season, and I am sure it will benefit them in their careers, showing resilience in real difficult times. Hopefully, there will be positive news very, very quickly, and we can use the period that has just gone as a reference point – a line in the sand.

“To get a huge company to come in, the story is not dissimilar to Newcastle United, who changed ownership. If it happens (for us), I can see us being a serious challenger in the league in the next two or three years.”

Diamond says the players are out there to build a highly competitive squad, he just needs the money. “Gloucester have offloaded 16-17 players and I don’t see many of them getting contracts at the moment. What I have always excelled at is bringing in the right players for the right money and building academies. Newcastle have 27 per cent of academy players in the first team squad, which is ridiculous.”