A frustrated Ashley ends takeover talks with Kenyon
MIKE Ashley has pulled the plug on talks with Peter Kenyon and the US-based consortium who expressed a strong interest in taking Newcastle United off the Sports Direct magnate’s hands.
Ashley had held extensive talks with Kenyon and granted the former Manchester United and Chelsea supremo extra time to get the deal done.
The Toon owner even told Kenyon his group was the “preferred” party to end his 12-year association at St James’ Park.
However, Ashley has grown frustrated after Kenyon failed to produce a package worth more than £300million and it is believed he did not satisfy the club’s other request of proving they could take the club forward in future years.
Although Kenyon – along with the other US-backed group led by Garry Cook – is now considered out of the running, Ashley is still open to offers and the club has not necessarily been taken off the market.
However, fans still want clarification on the future of the club and the general consensus on Tyneside is there are some big questions to be answered by the powers-that-be.
Ashley has not gone in-depth on the record about his plans for Newcastle, nor has there been an open forum where journalists can put forward some of the questions which are being posed by the club’s supporters.
The signing of Miguel Almiron was recognised by the club’s fan base in January.
However, more pressingly, Rafa Benitez’s contract extension needs to be addressed and the vision the manager is asking for needs to be realised.
Suggestions Ashley has taken the club off the market have caused even more confusion on Tyneside.
The club is not confirming that has been the case despite being approached by the Chronicle over the weekend.
Ashley has had Newcastle on the market for 17 months but has been unable to find a buyer willing to meet his price.
Amanda Staveley and PCP Capital Partners were also told Ashley had run out of patience last year.
Kenyon has not commented on the record about his bids to buy Newcastle despite media efforts to contact him.