Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley has received an offer to buy the club from a Nigerian consortium, according to reports from the BBC.
It has been rumoured that around seven different parties have expressed an interest in taking over the Magpies, but the group is said to be the first to make its move.
The bid is being headed up by UK-based businessman Chris Nathaniel, who reacted in stern fashion when asked to disclose the size of the offer.
He said: "We can't at this stage, that's confidential between ourselves and Newcastle, but a bid was put in on Friday evening.
"There's been no timeline given by Newcastle but we hope it will be sometime soon."
Some reports have suggested that the consortium has put around £350 million in place, although Ashley has previously gone on record as saying he wants a price closer to £400 million.
Nathaniel also confirmed that the group will not be drawn into a bidding war as it wants to keep funds aside for the potential rebuilding process at St James' Park.
He added: "What they don't want to do is spend a load of money to buy the club and have no money to buy players and to work on what is a quite a troubled infrastructure."
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21 October 2010
21 October 2010
21 October 2010
20 October 2010
20 October 2010
