Source: Daily_Mail
Tottenham hero Roberts emerges as the new shock bidder for Newcastle
Former Tottenham defender Graham Roberts has emerged as a surprise contender to buy Newcastle United.[LNB]Roberts will meet owner Mike Ashley and managing director Derek Llambias on behalf of a new group called Fans 410 Consortium on Thursday to discuss a £100 million takeover package.[LNB]The shock news comes as Tyneside millionaire Barry Moat's attempts to buy the club hit an impasse following weeks of talks with the club's current owners.[LNB] Up for sale: Mike Ashley is trying to sell the St James' Park outfit for £100m[LNB]Ashley flew in to the Newcastle training ground on Tuesday to meet caretaker boss Chris Hughton and to continue talks with Moat, who is fronting a consortium of local businessmen and American investors. [LNB] Newcastle on brink of £100m takeover by Moat as Ashley flies in for talksVilla, Fulham and Everton in three-way battle for Toon defender TaylorNewcastle to get rid of Fabricio Coloccini as Espanyol offer the defender a way out of ToonIpswich to unveil 'Sir Bobby Robson Stand' against his beloved Newcastle Moat is still waiting to hear if his bankers will back his ambitious plans.[LNB]But Roberts, the former Spurs and Rangers hardman, has entered the bidding for the club and plans to carry out due diligence. His proposal is to hand control of the club to supporters in a model based on European champions Barcelona.[LNB]Roberts said: 'We are called Fans 410, it is some people I know who want to buy a football club and we have approached Newcastle and we have a meeting tomorrow with the chairman and that is where we are at the moment.[LNB]'We have to find out what the debt is. The bottom line is no one knows what the debt is and when we talk to the chairman tomorrow we can take it from there but we are very keen.[LNB] What the fans want: Roberts (L) says he would take the supporters opinions on board and would look to reappoint club favourite Alan Shearer as manager[LNB]'It is more for the fans really. We want to get the fans involved, we want to be like a Barcelona or Real Madrid and take the club forward so they can get involved, get a share of their club and at the end of it they can own their club and have a say in how it is run and choose a president.[LNB]'Yes we want Alan Shearer to be the manager, he is the number one choice in the fan base. That is the one stipulation we have, we want Alan on board, and we will move forward from there.'[LNB]Meanwhile, Ashley has met the agents of Peter Lovenkrands and Sol Campbell and is hoping to sign the pair this week.[LNB] Newcastle on brink of £100m takeover by Moat as Ashley flies in for talksVilla, Fulham and Everton in three-way battle for Toon defender TaylorNewcastle to get rid of Fabricio Coloccini as Espanyol offer the defender a way out of ToonIpswich to unveil 'Sir Bobby Robson Stand' against his beloved Newcastle [LNB] Explore more:People:Graham Roberts, Mike Ashley, Derek Llambias, Alan ShearerPlaces:Newcastle, Barcelona, St James' Park
