MD Charnley’s talks with firms in China appear to be full of Eastern promise

NEWCASTLE United managing director Lee Charnley has returned from China after holding discussions about commercial opportunities.

The Chronicle understands a United delegation – led by the Toon chief – spent time in China last week and held constructive talks with interested parties.

As reported on March 15 by the Chronicle, the Magpies have had interest from the Far East from potential new club sponsors.

Since then Charnley and the club’s commercial team have flown to China for talks with a number of contacts over commercial deals and future opportunities.

Newcastle are eager to increase their global brand and, looking further ahead, tours to the Far East are deemed as a good thing by club officials.

The Magpies had a famous trip to the Far East in 1996 when they played in Thailand and Japan on the same tour which the football world was shocked by the announcement Alan Shearer was joining Newcastle from Blackburn Rovers for a world record fee.

Now, Newcastle are keen to tap into interest in that region again and have been eager to explore what deals could be on the table away from home.

United are yet to announce who their new sponsor will be, but there have been discussions with Far East companies, a UK firm and Newcastle Brown Ale in the last year.

A deal with Brown Ale could not be agreed, but Newcastle know they must move swiftly to put a sponsor in place for next seaso,n with current kit providers Puma keen to finalise next term’s shirt design.

Whether that will be a Chinese sponsor remains to be seen, but the early news from last week’s talks is understood to have been positive.

Newcastle not only spent time with possible sponsors but also spoke to Chinese clubs interested in playing lucrative friendly games.