Leading businesswoman remains a serious player as Newcastle's winter sale hots up.

Staveley has now signed a non-disclosure agreement form and entered the process of due diligence ahead of a potential takeover.

The financier is representing PCP Partners - understood to be worth £29billion - and the group are now looking through the accounts of the club to if a purchase is viable in their eyes, reports the Newcastle Chronicle.

However, Mike Ashley's lawyer Andrew Henderson says that Staveley is not alone in the race to own Newcastle.

The statement read: “Since Monday, a number of additional parties have come forward which we believe to be credible.

Amanda Staveley is in line to take over Newcastle United (
Image:
REX/Shutterstock)
Ashley (left) is selling up (
Image:
Rex Features)

“We are also continuing to engage with a number of parties with whom we had entered into negotiations prior to Monday’s announcement.”

Meanwhile, former owner Sir John Hall feels that the time is right for Ashley to sell up and move on.

Hall told Sky Sports: “He came with the right intent.

“But he unfortunately got on the wrong side of the fans very early in his ownership.

“I would guess - reading between the lines - he lost interest some time ago.

Newcastle have had an impressive start to the Premier League season (
Image:
Action Images via Reuters)
Video Loading

“He’s wanted to be out.

“I think he recognises this is a good time to get out.

“I’d say to Mike I understand why he wants to sell, he’s done as much as he can, but’s time to move on.

“He realises that.

“I hope he gets the right investor for all of our sakes.”

poll loading

Will Newcastle be sold by 2018?

6000+ VOTES SO FAR