South African tycoons interested in Newcastle takeover
Mike Ashley wants to sell Newcastle just over a year after buying it
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Sunday, 28, Sep 2008 09:02
A mystery South African consortium has expressed an interest in buying Newcastle United.
Reports today claim the British-based tycoons will offer £350 million to Magpies owner Mike Ashley.
The consortium want to remain anonymous until they have met with Kevin Keegan and Alan Shearer about returning in a management team.
The group claim Keegan is integral to their takeover, despite him quitting as Newcastle manager earlier this month after claiming he had no control over transfers.
"We are serious about Newcastle, we believe they are an iconic institution who deserve to be run professionally," a spokesman told the News of the World newspaper.
"We want Kevin to be fully committed to the team and we hope to find a role for Alan Shearer.
"We are not personalities. We like to be in the background, we need to be in the background.
"The existing management structure has not worked so we'll pay Mike Ashley what it takes to get rid of him. We will give the Newcastle fans what they want."
The consortium has made their money from rejuvenating household brands around the world.
They will battle with a Nigerian-based consortium, headed by London-based businessman Chris Nathaniel, to takeover the Magpies.
Ashley put the club up for sale after claiming his family was in danger after he became a hate figure on Tyneside since Keegan's departure.
Newcastle languish in 19th place in the table after yesterday's 2-1 loss to Blackburn Rovers at St James' Park.