THREE-WAY FIGHT TO BUY MAGPIES

NEWCASTLE UNITED is wanted by THREE bidders as Mike Ashley ponders whether to sell-up.

Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth-fund is poised with a £340million bid, but has been warned there are two other parties talking to representatives of the Magpies owner.

Ashley has returned to the UK from America with the chance to sell one of his biggest assets now firmly on the agenda.

Advanced interest from the Saudis, along with billionaire British brothers David and Simon Reuben, has not been denied by United or Ashley, but a deal has yet to be signed off.

The fund is controlled by the Saudis’ autocratic de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has been using sporting events and a series of reforms in an attempt to improve his nation’s poor reputation.

Selling Toon to the Saudis would be hugely controversial, and Ashley (above) is working out his next move with key advisors.

The billionaire also has two other interested parties who have been studying the club’s value over several months.

In the past year, former Manchester United chief executive Peter Kenyon and the Bin Zayed Group have tried to raise cash to buy the club, but those efforts went quiet.

The Saudi Crown Prince’s regime murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi – earning him the nickname “Mr Bone Saw” in the US press. He is also accused of bugging the phone of Amazon chief Jeff Bezos via a WhatsApp message, and Saudi authorities are suspected of detention and torture by human rights campaigners.

Newcastle fans will remain sceptical until a deal is announced, and divided by the ethics of any new owners.

They have hoped Ashley is close to selling many times only to see his 13-year reign, blighted by a lack of ambition and controversial decisions, continue.

Ashley has pledged not to sell to any party who do not have the financial might to kick the club on from his prudent policies, which result in operating profits being made, rather than the huge losses of many rivals.