For sale: United available for £380m as price drops

NEWCASTLE United owner Mike Ashley has lowered his asking price for potential suitors interested in buying the club, according to a weekend report in the capital.

The Times claim Ashley would consider offers of £380million to sell the club and that some interested buyers have signed non-disclosure agreements in recent weeks.

It is understood Ashley wanted more than £400m for the club last summer when it emerged he was prepared to listen to offers as Chinese investors expressed an interest in United.

The Chronicle reported earlier this year managing director Lee Charnley and the club’s commercial team had flown to the Far East for meetings with the club’s new sponsor Fun88.

Back then club sources confirmed Ashley was open to offers for either a partial share in the club or the full sale.

Ashley confirmed he was prepared to sell the club during an interview on Sky in the summer.

He said: “If somebody would like come along and take this seat and fund Newcastle with a nought on the end with their wealth more than me, I will not stand in Newcastle United’s way.

“One of the reasons I’m doing this interview is that I don’t think you’ll find there’s many people out there who will actually stand up and do it.

“I think we’re going to be together a good while longer and we’ve got the man in Rafa and let’s hope that we can generate some funds and we give him some chance to get some building blocks going over the coming years.”

Ashley also said he was not prepared to put any more money into the club.

He added: “I’ve put my £250m into the football club. Guys, that’s it. There’s no more from me.

“Now the club has to generate its own money.”

Newcastle United are yet to respond to fresh reports the club’s asking price has been lowered.