Newcastle takeover: After years of 'not-for-sale', Mike Ashley is ready to invite new investmentAfter 10 years in charge at St James' Park, Mike Ashley is eager to consider a new brave chapter
Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley is ready to listen to offers for the club he purchased a decade ago.
The Chronicle can confirm that there has been interest in the club from overseas investors including a consortium from China.
There is already a huge interest in the Premier League in the Far East and the Magpies are still regarded as one of the big boys to potential investors despite plying their trade in the Sky Bet Championship last season.
As we reported back in March, managing director Lee Charnley flew to China for talks with the club’s commercial team to test the water on potential interest in the club.
And after returning back to Tyneside with the club’s biggest ever sponsorship deal with FUN88 this showed Ashley that the interest in the Magpies was serious.
Now the Sports Direct tycoon will want to see more evidence of that.
Since Charnley’s meeting in China, Newcastle have secured a place in the Premier League and the club will be able to enjoy the riches that come their way from the huge TV deal on offer.
United are a club worth buying, of that there is no doubt.
They have one of the best stadiums in Europe as well as a loyal fanbase that back the club through thick and thin – but if a huge cash injection did take place at Newcastle United the sky could be the limit.
For now, the club are yet to receive a firm bid but unlike previous takeover stories United sources did not knock down any of the suggestions on Monday night.
It is believed that Ashley is open to all possibilities including offering any consortium or group a share in the club. Ashley once said he wouldn’t sell the club until he’d won something or qualified for the Champions League.
But after a decade under Ashley’s tenure, United could very well be up for grabs if somebody shows serious interest.The owner has always said he couldn’t compete with the big guns in English football.
Back in 2009, after Kevin Keegan walked out after the club failed to share his vision, Ashley said: “The truth is that Newcastle could not sustain buying the Shevchenkos, Robinhos or the Berbatovs.
“My plan and my strategy for Newcastle is different. It has to be.”
As Newcastle have struggled to keep pace with the top six they have watched on as teams like Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City have challenged at the business end of the table after plenty of investment.
Under previous tycoons like Freddy Shepherd and Sir John Hall, there did seem to be plenty of ambition for almost decade and a half. But on Ashley’s watch, the game has changed, clubs have got richer.
And while Newcastle fans have watched the club relegated twice and struggle to stay in the Premier League for much of his tenure, some of the clubs that United were once streets ahead of have enjoyed success.
Even Leicester City have won the Premier League title and the likes of Swansea City, Wigan Athletic and Birmingham City have collected silverware.
Newcastle supporters have been waiting since 1969 to watch the club lift a single pot.
Of course, there will be those who inevitably say: “Better the devil you know.”
Since news of a possible takeover broke, some Toon followers even stated they’d prefer Ashley to stay - something unthinkable two years ago as fans protested in their thousands against him.
New Premier League rules that are set to be put in place will prevent any type of nightmare scenarios such as the ones that have unfolded at Birmingham, Portsmouth and Hull City in recent years.
However, if Ashley can find the right group and the right price, the club could well be in for a new brave chapter.
Some fans will welcome change, others will be cautious but once again this all proves there’s never a dull moment at St James’ Park.
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