Businesswoman makes 300mil bid for Newcastle £

LONDON: A British businesswoman has made a formal offer of around £ 300mil ( RM1.6bil) for English Premier League club Newcastle, according to British media reports.

Several media outlets, including the BBC, said Amanda Staveley’s financial firm PCP Capital Partners had made a bid to Newcastle owner Mike Ashley.

Newcastle are yet to comment on the reports.

PCP Capital Partners are believed to have been in talks with Newcastle about a potential takeover for several weeks.

Billionaire retail entrepreneur Ashley announced he wanted to sell the club in October after 10 years in charge, having paid £ 134.4mil ( RM737mil) to buy Newcastle in 2007.

The 53-year-old Londoner has proved a divisive figure during his tenure, which has seen Newcastle twice relegated from the Premier League and then immediately promoted back.

Staveley, 44, helped broker Sheikh Mansour’s purchase of Manchester City in 2008.

She was spotted watching Newcastle’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool at St James’ Park last month.

Newcastle were promoted from the Championship under Rafael Benitez last season.

The northeast club regularly attract crowds of over 50,000, but their supporters have not had a trophy to celebrate since the 1969 InterCities Fairs Cup (the precursor to the UEFA Cup).