Source: Telegraph
Middle East consortium emerges as favourites to buy Newcastle United
The Omani group has expressed an interest in buying the St James' Park club from Mike Ashley.
The organisation from Oman is said to have already demonstrated it has the money to take the club of Ashley's hands and plan to invest hundreds of millions of pounds into the newly-relegated Championship club.
A consortium based in Britain is also believed to have entered the running to buy Newcastle from the sport retail tycoon.
Ashley who bought the club for £134 million two years ago is ready to sell the club for £100 million.
Newcastle supporters are hoping that their own loyalty to the club will help attract potential buyers.
'The end of the Ashley era means lessons learnt and opportunities for the future,' said Graham Harper, of the Newcastle United Supporters Club.
"We believe one of Ashley's fundamental errors was to fail to listen to the fans and we believe the fans are now a fundamental part of a positive solution to the current issue of direction of the club.
"The fans are an important constant and they will make this club attractive to potential buyers.
"Newcastle United Supporters Club hopes that any future owners will see the value of engaging with fans at the earliest opportunity to ensure that Newcastle United learns from the mistakes of the past and builds a brighter future."
Ashley's decision to put the club up for sale has thrown the prospective appoint of Alan Shearer as manager into doubt.
However talks resumed on Monday between Shearer and Newcastle managing director Derek Llambias to resolve the situation.
'Talks are still ongoing, said Llambias, 'we hope to have something resolved by the end of this week.'
Newcastle midfielder Nicky Butt wants the club to make sure Shearer is his new manager. 'Alan is somebody we all respect,' said Butt. To have him on board is a big plus.
