Amanda Staveley hits back at Mike Ashley and insists she is not a time-waster and still wants to buy Newcastle
Ashley walked away from a deal this week with a source describing negotiations as “frustrating and a complete waste of time"
AMANDA STAVELEY has hit back at Newcastle owner Mike Ashley – insisting she is not a time-waster and still wants to buy the club.
Staveley’s PCP Capital Partners firm bid £250million for the Toon in November, well below Ashley’s £350m asking price.
And Ashley this week walked away from takeover talks with her, with a source describing negotiations as “frustrating and a complete waste of time.”
But speaking publicly for the first time, exclusively to , Staveley, 44, said: “I’m very much still interested in buying Newcastle – and our bid remains on the table.”
Staveley described the accusations from Ashley that she is not a serious bidder and is just a publicity seeker as “hurtful and absurd”.
And she says she would have invested £200m into Newcastle on new players and updating the club’s training ground.
In an interview with The Times, Staveley insisted: “This is an investment, but it has to be a long-term investment.
“Newcastle would be run as a business, but we want it to be a successful, thriving business that is an absolutely integral part of the city.”
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Staveley’s bid also included a stipulation that current boss Rafa Benitez remained in charge at St James’ Park.
She added: “Rafa is doing an incredible job. We want Rafa to be part of this project.”
Ashley is yet to respond but Staveley’s comments are unlikely to convince him to do business with her after all - especially as her bid is still only £250m.
The Sports Direct tycoon, though, is still keen to sell the club and is confident he will receive other offers nearer his valuation.