New mystery Toon bidder

Aug 16 2009 by Neil Farrington, Sunday Sun

A MYSTERY new bidder is pondering an 11th-hour approach for Newcastle United this week.

Magpies owner Mike Ashley had been tipped to take the club off the market if local tycoon Barry Moat failed to raise the finance for a deal.

But now another would-be buyer - thought to have no connection with Moat or other previously mentioned contenders - is set to show their hand.

It is unclear whether the latest interested party is willing to go close to matching Ashley's official asking price of £100 million.

And Moat's presence next to Ashley in the directors' box during last night's opening home game of the season was widely interpreted as proof that he is the most viable bidder.

Other sources suggest Ashley may yet decide to maintain control of Newcastle but ask Moat to join the board with a view to appointing Alan Shearer as manager.

Even with Moat for company, Ashley was given a fresh reminder of the strength of feeling against him on Tyneside by the fans who booed his return to St James's Park yesterday.

Those supporters would be encouraged by new interest in relieving him of control.

And it may also reinforce Shearer's hopes of finally returning to the Newcastle dug-out amid fears that Ashley will appoint a different manager if he decides not to sell up.

Meanwhile, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Fulham may challenge Everton in a mass race for Steven Taylor, with the Cottagers already poised to sign Magpies winger Damien Duff.