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Mike Ashley Has Reportedly Sold Newcastle United To A Dubai-Based Billionaire For £350m

Mike Ashley Has Reportedly Sold Newcastle United To A Dubai-Based Billionaire For £350m

Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nehayan, the cousin of Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour, has reportedly made a move for Newcastle United.

Adnan Riaz

Adnan Riaz

Mike Ashley could be ready to leave Newcastle United behind him after reports have emerged that he has sold the club to a Dubai-based billionaire.

According to the Daily Telegraph, the interested party in the club is Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nehayan, who is none other than the cousin of Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour.

While the Sun reports that Ashley has moved ahead with the sale, the Telegraph says its 'several high-placed sources' are unable to confirm whether Al Nehayan's £350m offer has been accepted.

The newspaper added that all of its questions were met with a "no comment," but one of its sources said that the quoted fee was 'an accurate reflection of the asking price.'

This is not the first time that Al Nehayan has been interested in taking over a football club. In fact, the 61-year-old attempted a £2bn takeover of Liverpool in 2018.

Rafa Benítez's future remains uncertain at Newcastle and he admitted after their 3-2 defeat to Liverpool at St James' Park that he wanted to stay at the Magpies.

PA

"No, I'm feeling that it is a good day in terms of what we did on the pitch, and I am very emotional in what you could see around. That's it," he said.

"I'm not negative, or too positive, in terms of the conversations on the future. I think that the fans, they want me to stay.

"We have to be sure we have the tools to compete at the level that we want to compete.

"We are in a good mood, hopefully it [talks over my future] will be positive."

The former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Napoli boss has already suggested that the club needs to invest in the summer if they want to challenge against the top Premier League sides.

"You can get to a certain level, after that you cannot. Each has its own level of efficiency," he explained.

PA

"If you look at Formula One, if you are at the bends, you can fight. But, in a straight line, they [the quicker cars] go past you.

"You can be the best driver in the world, it doesn't matter. So, if you drive in Monaco, where it's bendy, then you have a chance."

Will Ashley sell the club?

Let us know in the comments.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Football News, Football, Sheikh Mansour, Magpies, Rafa Benitez, Premier League, St James' Park, Newcastle United