Newcastle takeover?

Garp · Newcastle takeover?

Singapore group plans Magpies bid

Mike Ashley is willing to sell for £100m - £34.4m less than what he paid
A Singapore-based group which includes former Liverpool midfielder Steve McMahon is ready to table a bid for Newcastle, BBC Sport has learned.

The Profitable Group claims that it would keep Alan Shearer on as manager if successful.

However, Newcastle say they are yet to be contacted by the group.

Current owner Mike Ashley put the club up for sale for £100m following the Magpies' relegation from the Premier League last season.

Keith Harris, chairman of investment bank Seymour Pierce, has been appointed to broker a deal, which he expects to be completed by the end of June.

He said on Monday that he had already been in contact with "two or three" interested parties.

According to its official website, the group "exists to increase the wealth of its clients, its employees and its owners, through the provision of strategically selected investment opportunities."

Time is of the essence for Newcastle, who remain without a manager as they prepare for life in the Championship.

Shearer, who took charge of the Magpies on a temporary basis at the end of last season, has presented his future plans to Ashley, but the owner is unwilling to appoint a full-time manager because prospective buyers are likely to want to make their own appointment.

Season ticket-holders are due to receive their renewal notices this week, but many may be unwilling to commit themselves as long as the unpopular Ashley remains owner and fans' favourite Shearer is not guaranteed a job.

raveydavey

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homep...364/Ashley-sells-Toon-on-web.html

Ebay the lads?

MIKE ASHLEY turned Newcastle into a football joke yesterday.

He put the club up for sale for £100million - and asked would-be buyers to put in offers by e-mail!

It is as if interested parties are bidding for an item on online auction site ebay.

The under-fire Toon board found themselves bombarded by fake mickey-taking offers from fans all over the country, laughing at desperate owner Ashley's efforts to dump the ailing Geordies.

Ashley wanted anyone interested to contact football finance fixer Keith Harris - or give the e-mail option a go on the Newcastle United web page.

And that led to jokers like one Sunderland fan making contact, saying: "I would like to lodge an official bid to buy NUFC.

"The amount I am offering is £10. Should I be successful, I will be appointing myself as team manager, as I am currently in a management role in the Peterlee Sunday League."

Another quipped: "The amount I am offering is 2 x upper concourse seats for the Oasis concert at the Stadium of Light and a Curly Wurly."

Newcastle supporters were not laughing, though, and reacted in horror to this latest humiliation.

One disgusted Geordie said: "If ever any proof was needed of Ashley's total lack of class and crass stupidity, this e-mail fiasco provides it.

"He is a blundering buffoon who needs to be driven out of this great football club."

raveydavey

Word reaches me that the entire set up at the Toon could be had for less than the price of one Ronaldo.

Shocking really, isn't it?