Hound Question is only really why there is a deferred payment which possibly suggests some sort of short term cash flow issue. Which might be very minor and basically little to worry about or maybe not
Normal business practice. An amount of consideration is agreed in practice. That is subject to certain events. At the very least the purchaser will wish to be certain there's no skeletons hidden in terms of liabilities and that any amounts owing (assets on the balance sheet) are paid. Trust only extends so far. Perhaps the new American owners aren't the easiest people to deal with. Playing hardball so to speak ( as Howe's actions evidence).