Struggling A-League side Newcastle Jets "could be sold within a matter of months" with Football Federation Australia revealing there is firm interest from European and Asian parties for the embattled franchise, according to Barry Toohey of the Sydney DAILY TELEGRAPH. Since Nathan Tinkler’s "controversial reign as owner ended last May, the FFA has been forced to dip into its own coffers to finance the club and keep the franchise afloat." But despite a "limited budget that has seen the Jets battle for on-field results," FFA CEO David Gallop said that he is "optimistic the sale of the club is potentially just around the corner." Asset management company UBS Australia has "been hired to assist with the process." Gallop said, "We expect UBS to have an information document in the marketplace within the next few weeks but we already have a number of interested parties including strong Asian and European interest which gives us plenty of optimism about a potential sale." Gallop "would not comment on how much the FFA believes the club is worth" but it is understood to be around the A$5M ($3.5M) to A$6M ($4.2M) mark. Dundee United major shareholder Stephen Thompson is believed to have offered as much as A$4M ($2.8M) for the Jets "several months ago but was knocked back and the potential deal fell through" (DAILY TELEGRAPH, 1/21).
