Why potential Newcastle takeover has links with Manchester City’s

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Amanda Staveley has opened lines of communication with Newcastle over a potential takeover after doing similar with Manchester City in 2009.

Owner of Sports Direct and Newcastle United, Mike Ashley.

Newcastle United fans are getting excited about the prospect of owner Mike Ashley ending his 10-year stay at the club and selling up to investors from the Middle East.

That is because, as the Telegraph reports, after being seen at St James’ Park during the Premier League against Liverpool, financier Amanda Staveley has met with club officials and has opened lines of communication about a potential takeover.

DIC negotiator Amanda Staveley takes her seat before Liverpool took on Chelsea in their UEFA Champions League semi-final football match in 2008.

Staveley has met with the man tasked with finding Ashley – who made it clear he wanted to sell the Magpies in May – a buyer, Justin Barnes, as well as managing director Lee Charnley, public relations advisor Keith Bishop, and even manager Rafa Benitez.

Reports that she was actually interested in investment in Liverpool appear to be untrue, despite the fact the 44-year-old has tried to but the Reds on two separate occasions in the past; the most recent being last summer.

General view inside the stadium as players and fans pay tribute to ex-Newcastle United chairman Freddy Shepherd prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Liverpool.

While talks are still in the early stages, with Staveley having also been at the league game with Stoke City earlier this season it seems the interest is serious. Ashley is looking for over £400m for the club.

What may excite Newcastle supporters is that Staveley has previous when it comes to buying sides in the English top flight, with the Mirror reporting how she helped Sheikh Mansour with his takeover of Manchester City in 2009 because of her strong links with the Middle East.