Source: Daily_Mail
Shearer back in contention for Toon post as Moat closes in on takeover
Barry Moat is set to become the new owner of Newcastle United within the next few days, putting Alan Shearer back in line to be the new manager.
The Tyneside businessman's long drawn-out attempt to buy the club from billionaire owner Mike Ashley, which seemed to founder last week, looks to be on course again.
The two friends were sitting alongside each other in the directors' box last night as the team gave their fans some relief from months of confusion with a 3-0 victory over Reading, thanks to a hat-trick by Shola Ameobi.
With winger Damien Duff expected to become the ninth player to quit Newcastle since the end of last season, by returning to the Premier League with Fulham, clarification over the future ownership of the club is desperately needed.
Moat and Shearer are close friends and nobody knows better than the former the impact the latter's arrival would have on a Toon Army which has been demoralised by a summer of chaos and controversy.
Ashley, back from a trip to Hawaii and looking relaxed in a white shirt and casual slacks, was happy to defy potential hostility with what could turn out to be his last sighting at St James' Park.
There were a few chants but none of the heated demonstrations which were a feature of some of his appearances last season.
Moat was due to host a party at the ground last night, and it would turn into a real celebration if he could all but confirm details of the takeover with Ashley, who has been keen to offload the club after spending more than £250million buying it and clearing debts.
Duff's departure in a £4m move will clear another high-earning player off the wage bill. After the clubs agreed a fee yesterday, the Republic of Ireland winger was withdrawn from last night's match and travelled to London for a medical.
He is expected to agree personal terms over the weekend. Duff, 30, who worked with Roy Hodgson as a teenager at Blackburn, has endured three injury-troubled seasons at Newcastle since a £5m switch from Chelsea.
His goal in the 1-1 draw at West Brom was only his sixth in three years but Hodgson is convinced the winger can be revitalised.
'I am always cautious until these things go through but I hope he will be a Fulham player by Monday,' said Cottagers boss Hodgson.
'Every time he has played for Ireland he's consistently one of their best performers. We know what we're getting - an experienced, quality player.'
