Are Newcastle for sale?

Jul 6 2008 by Neil Farrington, Sunday Sun

MYSTERY last night surrounded Mike Ashley’s reported bid to sell Newcastle United for £420 million, after an American investment group confirmed they HAD been approached about a possible takeover.

United dismissed reports of the club being offered to New York-based company InterMedia Partners as “absolute nonsense”.

But that denial sounded hollow last night as the private equity firm made its first public comment on the issue.

“InterMedia was approached about a deal, made no offer and has no interest,” said a spokesman.

Meanwhile, Obafemi Martins is ready to demand that United reopen talks on a new contract this week.

The Nigerian striker is set for a showdown with the Magpies hierarchy as he is ever more strongly linked with Arsenal, with the withdrawal of the offer of a contract extension made earlier this year at the root of his unrest.

Discussions over a new deal worth more than £80,000 a week have not yet been followed up as United owner Mike Ashley resolved to lower the club’s wage bill.

Though Newcastle remain dubious about the seriousness of the Gunners’ interest in Martins, they will not be held to ransom by him and have discreetly identified a striker they believe could fill his shoes.

But the Magpies look set to miss out on midfield target Gokhan Inler, who we have been told is ready to stay with Udinese.