NUFC are privately owned - if there was no takeover, they could say "no takeover". If it was fake, the press would seize upon it. If it were made up, the likes of Caulkin, Waugh, Douglas, Downie, etc., wouldn't say it was real. They would emphatically say it wasn't. It's also interesting that Chronicle journalists have a more sceptical view than those who don't use the club for sources. I'd imagine those within the club know very, very little. I don't think Charnley will even know. Ashley will know, Barnes will know. Probably Bishop, to prepare statements to deal with the fallout.
Whether it's actually sold - probably not. I think it's the stickiest situation Ashley has been in - he has actual, willing buyers but doesn't want to sell. I'm not sure he thought he'd get to this point and is probably squirming a bit, hence the inactivity and lack of movement. His usual practice is to **** about until the buyers give up; but it's the Saudi's. Is he really going to be comfortable being an absolute twatbag?