Newcastle for sale: Who wants to buy club? Mike Ashley has reached agreements already

NEWCASTLE chairman Mike Ashley wants to sell the club - so what do we know so far about who could buy it?

Mike AshleyGETTY

Newcastle news: Mike Ashley has put the club up for sale

Express Sport brings you all you need to know about the Newcastle asle.

What is the current situation at Newcastle?

Newcastle have been put up for sale and Mike Ashley wants to complete a deal by Christmas.

"Newcastle United requires a clear direction and a path to a bright and successful future," a club statement said.

Ashley, 53, has been a controversial figure at St James' Park since taking over in 2007.

There have been a number of protests against his reign and only last year he admitted he wished he hadn't have bought the club.

Mike AshleyGETTY

Mike Ashley has put Newcastle up for sale - and he wants it sold before Christmas

Who could buy Newcastle?

According to Simon Chadwick, Professor of Sports Enterprise at the University of Salford Business School, there could be interest in the club from north America.

He said: “Ashley is unlikely to sell the club cheaply; indeed, his decision to sell now may reflect significant interest in the club (particularly from North America).

"Suggestions the Sports Direct owner is about to sell to Chinese investors is, for the time-being at least, wide of the mark. With a Chinese state clampdown on overseas investments still in place, and with the 19th Communist Party Congress due to start later this week, it seems unlikely that any interest out of China will emerge (possibly until December at the earliest).

“An important factor underpinning the sale will be the role of intermediaries. A prominent broker of club deals was recently spotted at a Newcastle United game.

"However, rather than being contracted to the club, this person may well have been touting for business. The competition between such intermediaries for the right to seal a deal for a club is always intense.

"This is especially the case when there are willing buyers operating in the market; for example, American sports entrepreneur and businessman Robert Kraft has recently spoken of his continuing desire to acquire an English Premier League club.

“Newcastle United is the archetypal 'sleeping giant'. The club has a strong history and its brand therefore enjoys considerable equity. Furthermore, there is a strong, albeit sometimes latent, fanbase and a large stadium to signify what Newcastle United is and could become.

"Such qualities will inevitably be of interest to investors across the world, though it somehow seems more likely that a consortium rather than an individual is a more likely to buy the club.”

Who else might want to buy Newcastle?

Financier Amanda Staveley is a potential suitor, according to BBC Radio 5 live senior football reporter Ian Dennis.

Staveley was seen watching Newcastle's 1-1 home draw against Liverpool earlier this month.

"It was clearly a signal of intent from her and her company," Dennis added. "However, it is now a case of making sure the price is right for all parties."

Who do the bookies think will buy Newcastle?

(Odds courtesy of Paddy Power)

11/1       Robert Kraft

11/1       Mikhail Prokhorov

14/1       Mark Zuckerberg

17/1       Tilman Fertitta

33/1       Mark Cuban

60/1       Donald Trump

60/1       Rupert Murdoch

90/1       Richard Branson

275/1     Elon Musk

What agreements have been reached so far?

A number of parties gave signed non-disclosure agreements with Ashley, allowing them to examine the club’s books ahead of making offers for the club.

It's not the first time Ashley has vowed to sell the club.

Ashley also put it up for sale in September 2008 following a series of protests by supporters angered by Kevin Keegan's departure as boss.

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