Ash open to offers
MIKE ASHLEY is prepared to sell a stake in Newcastle United, with a Chinese consortium interested in the Premier League new boys.
Newcastle would not comment on take-over speculation last night, but Ashley is open to a deal.
Manager Rafa Benitez will hope the rumours do not derail his summer transfer plans.
He has already seen a loan deal for Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham fail to go through.
Ashley has spent £262million on Newcastle, buying the club for £133million and loaning a total of £129m over his 10 years in charge.
He would want more than that figure to sell it.
Last year Ashley made a £33m loan to the club to help ease the effects of relegation.
Many Premier League clubs have received inquiries about investment from China, and any deal would appear to be some way off at the moment.