Source: Northern_Echo
Ashley ready to accept a £20m down payment
MIKE Ashley is ready to accept a £20m down payment in order to secure a buyer for Newcastle United.[LNB] The embattled Magpies owner, who last night sanctioned the £3m sale of fullback Habib Beye to Aston Villa, is willing to accept just a fifth of his asking price in an attempt to kick-start a sales process that is in danger of coming to a complete halt.[LNB] Ashley would then loan a buyer up to £80m, with an understanding that the money would be paid back within a period of two or three years.[LNB] Seymour Pierce, the investment brokers charged with the task of selling Newcastle, are understood to have contacted a number of private-equity investors in recent days to inform them of Ashleys willingness to accept payment in installments.[LNB] The change in tack is not good news for Barry Moat, the Tyneside businessman who is part of a consortium that is hoping to tie up a deal for the Magpies.[LNB] Seymour Pierce recommended that Ashley accepts Moats bid earlier this week, and the businessmans representatives met Seymour Pierce officials on Thursday to discuss their options.[LNB] However, Ashleys decision to look elsewhere suggests he does not regard Moat to be a viable bidder.[LNB] If an alternative option does not present itself by the end of next week, Ashley is prepared to take Newcastle United off the market until January at the earliest.[LNB] The move would not go down well with Newcastle fans, but would at least lead to the appointment of a permanent manager and potentially result in the arrival of a small number of signings.[LNB] For the moment, Chris Hughton remains in interim control, and having recorded the only win of his first two spells as manager at West Brom, the former Spurs coach is confident his side will hit the ground running when they kick off their Championship campaign at the Hawthorns this evening.[LNB] The feeling I get from the players is that theyre determined to do well at West Brom and nothing else matters,[LNB] said Hughton. Well be going down there confident we can win the game.[LNB] Weve had a good training group and, contrary to whats been said, the atmosphere has been good. Its been very good.[LNB] All you can do is get on with the job in hand.[LNB] With Nicky Butt nursing a broken hand, Alan Smith will skipper the Magpies for the first time in a senior fixture.[LNB] The former Leeds midfielder is still to score his first senior goal for the club, but Hughton insists he possesses the leadership qualities Newcastle will need if they are to push for promotion.[LNB] Alans had a good pre-season, hes respected by all the lads, and hes a player of experience and that lends itself to that position, he said.[LNB] In this period, I have to name a captain. We all know if it (the managerial situation) changes, somebody might have their own ideas, but with Nicky out, for me its the right choice.[LNB] The latest player to quit the club is Beye, who last night signed a three-year deal with Aston Villa after a hectic day of negotiations that saw him discussing his future with officials from Villa and Hull.[LNB] Villa matched Hulls £3m bid and with the Tigers reluctant to offer the Senegal international a three-year deal, Beye opted to travel to the Midlands to discuss personal terms.[LNB] The former Marseille skipper made 54 appearances for the Magpies after moving from the Stade Velodrome in August 2007.[LNB] Like Beye, Sebastian Bassong, who joined Tottenham late on Thursday in an £8m deal that could eventually rise beyond £10m, voiced his displeasure at life on Tyneside at the start of the week.[LNB] But having been officially unveiled at White Hart Lane yesterday, the 23-year-old claimed he had no regrets about his season at St James Park.[LNB] It has been an interesting year and I learned a lot at Newcastle, said Bassong.[LNB] Im really happy to have played for Newcastle, but had to move to improve myself and make a step forward in my career.[LNB] Im sure Spurs will be a good thing for me. The manager is famous with a good reputation, that is why I didnt hesitate to come here.[LNB]
