Newcastle Owner Continuing Sale Talks With Multiple Bidders

EPL side Newcastle United Owner Mike Ashley is in "ongoing talks with two other potential buyers amid claims that a Saudi consortium is close to a deal." Ashley returned from a trip to the U.S. on Monday to "find the club embroiled in fresh speculation over its future ownership." Reports claim a Saudi takeover is "90 per cent" likely to be reached. However, Ashley was reportedly "distinctly unimpressed that the matter had been made public." With his talks with "other prospective buyers" continuing, Ashley "appears to be challenging the Saudis to make a decisive move." Amnesty Int'l's response to news of the latest approach "has added further complexities to a long-running saga" (London INDEPENDENT, 1/28).