Freddy Shepherd plays the waiting game

Jul 5 2009 by Neil Farrington, Sunday Sun

FREDDY SHEPHERD is playing a waiting game as Newcastle hit trouble in their efforts to tempt other would-be buyers by slashing their wage bill.

And Shepherd’s bid to buy out Mike Ashley will be boosted by the news the Malaysian consortium linked with a Toon takeover are not now seen as serious contenders for the club.

Former United chairman Shepherd has made a verbal offer to Seymour Pierce, the bank attempting to broker the club’s sale.

Shepherd, who is not part of any consortium, remains bullish about his bid’s chances of success, despite rival interest in Newcastle from abroad.

The prospect of the Malaysians, who flew to Tyneside and were shown – indiscreetly – around United’s state-of-the-art facilities on Thursday, making a firm offer for the club was last night heavily played down.

And one Malaysian tycoon – AirAsia boss Tony Fernandes – last night rubbished reports that he is interested in buying Newcastle.

Another consortium, thought to have North East-based input but be largely funded by foreign – probably American – money, remain viable contenders.

However, an increasingly urgent and problematic attempt to try to push through the sales of high earners like Coloccini and Martins suggests Shepherd’s rivals may yet harbour serious concerns over the club’s financial situation.

Newcastle face a potential struggle to remove Coloccini and Martins, like Michael Owen and Mark Viduka before them, from a crippling wage bill.

Coloccini could go, with Galatasaray emerging as potential buyers, albeit at a fraction of the £10m he cost Newcastle a year ago.

While the Argentine’s £4m-a-year salary – as well as United’s asking price – could yet scupper any deal, Martins has snubbed a move to Germany, where he had been coveted by Wolfsburg, and faces being priced out of a move to Spain.