Newcastle talks with Amanda Staveley branded a ‘complete waste of time’ and takeover deal is OFF
Mike Ashley is believed to have 'walked away' from talks with PCP Capital partners as £300million proposed takeover looks to have collapsed
FUMING Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has walked away from takeover talks with Amanda Staveley.
Ashley claims any potential deal is off because he does not believe she is serious about buying the Premier League club.
The Sports Direct tycoon has been in talks with Staveley since November and the pair met at a London curry house last month.
Ashley wanted at least £300million for Newcastle, with Staveley’s PCP Capital Partners company, who had signed a Non-Disclosure Agreement, tabling a £250m bid.
But SunSport understands the Toon tycoon thinks the Yorkshirewoman is a “self-publicist” who is wasting his time.
A source close to Ashley said: “It is only right to let the fans know there is no deal on the table — or even under discussion — with Amanda Staveley and PCP Capital Partners.
“Attempts to reach a deal have proved exhausting, frustrating and a complete waste of time.”
The Staveley camp is refusing to break the terms of the NDA and make any public response.
SunSport, though, is aware the would-be buyers believe this is a tactic from Ashley in a bid to smoke her out.
They believe Ashley is trying to force Staveley and her partners to up their offer to nearer his valuation and there is a determination not to be railroaded into a bad deal.
But Ashley is annoyed at how Staveley has played out her supposed interest in Newcastle in public.
Ashley insists he still wants to sell Newcastle but there is a feeling he is waiting to see how much he will bank when the Premier League’s new TV deal is announced next month.
The future of Toon boss Rafa Benitez is also up in the air as many believe he will quit in the summer if Ashley remains in power.
He was frustrated by a lack of money last transfer window and has so far not been given any cash to splash this month.