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Is Mike Ashley serious about selling Newcastle?

The participation of Amanda Staveley in the projected takeover of Newcastle United is an issue for Mike Ashley, and indeed for some Newcastle fans. Her previous discussions with Newcastle led Ashley to brand her a 'tyre kicker' or 'time waster'. He did not like her turning up at his favoured curry house, Paradise in Hampstead, for his big Wednesday night out in 2017 and was angered that she was photographed leaving.

Ms Staveley is known for her contact book with Gulf royals and rose to prominence by brokering the 2008 sale of Manchester City to Sheikh Mansour. Ms Staveley's PCP equity firm would provide 20 per cent of the price for the club with 10 per cent coming from her personally. The British billionaire Reuben brothers are thought to be involved. However, the bulk of the money would come from the Saudi public investment fund. It is believed that they have also set aside £200m for further investment in the club.

It is being reported that Mike Ashley was so incensed by Staveley's involvement that he has asked to be left alone while he considers whether to proceed. Many Newcastle fans think it is a stunt by Ashley to distract attention from a lack of action in the transfer window.

However, one significant straw in the wind is that accountants involved in auditing Mr Ashley's retail businesses were told in recent weeks that Newcastle was 'disappearing from the book.'

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