Newcastle takeover in jeopardy as Amanda Staveley and Mike Ashley over £300m asking price

MIKE ASHLEY and Amanda Staveley have hit a £50million wall which threatens the takeover of Newcastle.

Toon owner Ashley appeared close to agreeing a deal to sell the club to Staveley earlier this month.

But the two parties are at an impasse over the sale price — with Ashley refusing to sell for less than £300m and Staveley yet to bid more than £250m.

Now there are fears the takeover could be dead if neither side budges — with Staveley also wanting clauses written in to the deal covering relegation.

Staveley wants boss Rafa Benitez but is also concerned he could go at the end of the season if a deal is not done by then.

Ashley met Yorkshirewoman Staveley, who runs private equity fund PCP Capital Partners, for talks at a London curry house at the start of December, as we exclusively revealed.

Both parties were then hopeful of striking a deal.

Staveley was also willing to refund Ashley any money spent on new signings next month.

SAMTHING SPECIAL See stunning Ronaldo, Messi, Ibrahimovic and Neymar as Samurai warriors

Yet for that to happen, an agreement in principle would have to be in place.

Talks, though, are no further forward, with holidaying Ashley confident he will get other offers.

Staveley thinks she is the only interested buyer and is banking on the Sports Direct tycoon dropping his price.

Given his business style, this is unlikely.