Ashley ends takeover talk

Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has ended takeover talks with prospective buyer Amanda Staveley, it is understood.

Ashley, who put the club up for sale in October, had been engaged through his representatives with Staveley’s PCP Capital Partners in a bid to thrash out a deal, bit it emerged last night that he had lost patience and ended negotiations.

A source close to Ashley said: “It’s only right to let the fans know that there is no deal on the table or even under discussion with Amanda Staveley and PCP. Attempts to reach a deal with Amanda Staveley and PCP have proved to be exhausting, frustrating and a complete waste of time.”