A MYSTERY Malaysian consortium is understood to have stolen a march in the race to become new owners of crisis club Newcastle United.
The Chronicle understands that a bid in excess of £80m has been made by the group, who were given a full tour of St James’s Park, the city and the training ground yesterday by managing director Derek Llambias. Mike Ashley was not present.
In a dramatic turn of events the group, who even dropped in to Shearer’s Bar, made their way from the city to the training complex and then from Whitley Road to Benton Road to check out the club’s Academy.
The focus then moved on to the west end of London, where talks continued with Llambias and Seymour Pierce, the investment bank put in charge of the United sale.
A United insider told the Chronicle: “The group were given the full works around the stadium and at the training ground.
“They watched the players train and this proved a bit of distraction for a lot of them who are wondering what the heck is going on at Newcastle.”
Yet while takeover talks continue, it remains to be seen whether the Malaysians will want to hand the manager’s job to Alan Shearer.
It leaves other interested parties such as former chairman Freddy Shepherd, currently in Portugal on a golfing break, waiting to discover if their efforts to take control have been enough.
And it could spark off a frantic bidding war as the chase for United hots up.
Chris Hughton talks up Harper's prospects Dec 9 2009
STEVE Harper has been pushed forward as a surprise selection for England’s World Cup squad as Chris Hughton insisted there is no chance Newcastle United would be top of the Championship without him. more
Lovenkrands not prepared to repeat title loss Dec 9 2009
IT is a feeling not quite like any other, that horrible, nerve-shredding, stomach-churning moment when something precious slips through your fingers and smashes into tiny, irreparable pieces on the floor. more
Ameobi may come in if Hughton axes Carroll Dec 8 2009
CHRIS HUGHTON could hand Shola Ameobi his first slice of action since August at Coventry tomorrow night if he decides to axe Andy Carroll after an alleged nightclub incident. more
Jonas Gutierrez: I can handle rough treatment Dec 8 2009
JONAS GUTIERREZ goes in tomorrow night against Coventry City insisting that he can handle the rough and tumble of the Coca-Cola Championship. more
Chris Hughton keeping quiet on Carroll controversy Dec 8 2009
NEWCASTLE United have launched an internal investigation as Chris Hughton attempts to discover what happened in the build-up to Andy Carroll’s arrest for an alleged assault in the early hours of Monday morning. more
Magpies require a little tinkering Dec 8 2009
FOR Newcastle United, simply avoiding catastrophe in the transfer window will represent sterling progress on recent seasons’ efforts. more
Fabrice Pancrate: Wonder goal is just the start Dec 7 2009
FABRICE PANCRATE today defiantly warned the rest of the Coca-Cola Championship "there's much more where that came from" after his wonder goal against Watford. more
Nicky Butt to face Coventry after Nolan red card Dec 7 2009
CHRIS HUGHTON is expected to turn to Nicky Butt for the midweek trip to Coventry City in the aftermath of Kevin Nolan's red card against Watford. more