US investors now ready to meet Mike Ashley's asking price - but only on one condition - Report
by Olly Hawkins ·
According to the Daily Mail, a group of 'seriously wealthy' US investors are now prepared to meet Mike Ashley's £300m asking price to buy NUFC - however the deal could yet collapse unless fears of relegation are eased in the coming months.
The piece states that these wealthy US investors could beat a rival consortium (led Peter Kenyon) to any deal, with a 'source' telling the Daily Mail that these investors would want to have a 'real go at providing the success the fans crave'.
Here's a snippet from The Mail's story released late on Tuesday night:
"A group of American investors are considering buying Newcastle United — although there are huge concerns about the club's Premier League position.
"Sportsmail has learned that a group of 'seriously wealthy' US businessmen can meet Newcastle owner Mike Ashley's £300million asking price.
"The group are ready to nip in ahead of a rival consortium, reported as being led by former Manchester United and Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon.
"However if Newcastle, in 19th place, start to look relegation certainties any prospective deal is likely to collapse.
"Ashley began looking for a buyer a year ago and Kenyon is said to be working with Rockefeller Capital Management in New York while seeking investors, but a source believes the rival group could step in.
"'We are talking seriously wealthy people,' said the source. 'They have the funding and see the potential.
"'They see a sleeping giant and feel they cannot only have a real go at providing the success fans crave but also take Newcastle to the next level globally.'
"They (Newcastle) host Brighton on Saturday before a trip to Southampton. Both are seen as winnable matches and two victories would do no harm to the chance of a takeover."
It's exciting to hear, but only to an extent. Why? Because we heard all of this exactly 12 months ago when Amanda Staveley and PCP's interest emerged.
They too had the same problem - the threat of relegation got in the way of a potential deal.
