According to Chronicle Live, Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has had 7 takeover bids submitted to him since taking over at the club a decade ago, and all but the current one – the PCP Capital Partners’ negotiation led by Amanda Staveley – failed.
In 2008, 4 Nigerian tycoons were keen on buying after Ashley put the club for sale after manager Kevin Keegan left.
However, nothing was eventually heard of their bid – one reportedly between £200million and £350million.
There were also £70million and £100million bids down the years, while an interesting proposition by Graham Roberts in 2009, which wanted fans to buy shares, pick a manager and a chairman was also mooted.
It’s understood that Staveley has submitted a £300million offer, but Ashley wants more, precisely £100million if the £400million he quoted for Sky Sports in August remains his target.
While negotiations will continue and another bid is expected, the relegation clause the businesswoman wants included in a deal could see this 7th bid fail.
The clause will see Newcastle refund PCP a substantial amount should they relegate at the end of the campaign, but Ashley isn’t keen on such agreement.
It’s believed that a deal with payments of £60million a year over five years, would be more palatable for Ashley, but should both parties fail to reach an agreement, they would go their separate ways.
