Derek Llambias, Newcastle United's managing director, has asked for a meeting with the fans group attempting to buy out the club's owner, Mike Ashley, but is likely to be snubbed, reports The Guardian. The Newcastle United Supporters Trust (Nust) has launched a "Yes, We Can" campaign in a bid to persuade fans to reinvest portions of their pensions to launch a takeover.
However the bid is in its infancy and Neil Mitchell, Nust's interim chair, today said: "We see no benefit in meeting Mike Ashley or his representatives until the campaign has got fully under way."
Llambias has invited Nust to talks at St James' Park on Monday 23 November but now must almost certainly wait a little longer to learn details of their attempt to turn Newcastle into England's answer to Barcelona with the club president elected by the supporters.
Mitchell has hinted that Llambias should not expect any compromises or willingness to barter for a share of power at St James' Park on Nust's part.
"Deals in smoke-filled rooms will not be part of our negotiations," he said. "The idea of the campaign is to bring trust and integrity back to the club and to reflect the values of the city as a whole."