3 trains of thought on this - the statement /supposed deferred payments etc.

1. he wants out by xmas because he knows/thinks rafa will walk / it will all kick off again with fans IF he doesn't back him in jamuary. make it harder to sell etc - unhappy club lowers price etc etc.

2. deferred payments - hopefully not cos they haven't got cash up front cos that means very limited investment will be made in playing squad. could be a) a way of him continuing to use st james's for his tatty adverts - free ads until all moneys paid. or b) some sort of clauses in the event of hmrc / the fa placing sanctions on the club in future. - only payable if nothing of the sort happens within x number of years ( bear in mind hmrc quoted possible 2 years before investigations finished.)

3. cash price for the club itself - the "loan" owed to him payable in installments - inetrest free?? with interest??