Mike Ashley: Newcastle sale ‘possible’ before January transfer window

The Newcastle United owner says sale talks are at their most advanced stage yet

Mike Ashley says it is ‘possible’ Newcastle United could be sold before the January transfer window.

Ashley, the billionaire owner of Sports Direct, bought Newcastle in 2007 for £137m, but has supposedly been looking for a buyer since 2009 amid discontent primarily concerning his lack of financial backing for successive managers in the transfer market.

“I am hopeful, for the Newcastle fans, for the club, for everybody, that I will be able to step aside, and we will be able to get an owner in that will please everybody,” Ashley said, speaking on Sky News on Monday evening.

“I would like it to be before the January transfer window.” Asked if that was a realistic time frame, Ashley added: ”Realistic? Possible. Realistic is maybe too strong a word, so hopefully we can carry on the good form and get the deal done.

“Talks are at a more progressed stage than they’ve ever been. I’m very keen to sell it to the right buyer, so everybody’s happy. That would be good news.”