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Newcastle takeover: Mike Ashley CONFIRMS sale plans BEFORE transfer window
NEWCASTLE owner Mike Ashley plans to sell the club before the transfer window opens.
In a stunning revelation on Sky News, Ashley confirmed he is keen to flog the club as soon as possible.
“I am hopeful – for the Newcastle fans, for the club, for everybody, that I will be able to step aside and we will be able to get an owner in that will please everybody,” Ashley said.
“I'd like it to be before the January transfer window.
"[Is that] Realistic? It's possible. Realistic is maybe too strong a word.
I'd like it to be before the January transfer window
“Hopefully, we can carry on the good form – the just recent good form – and we can get the deal done."
Ashley has overseen a controversial decade-long ownership of Newcastle.
During that period, the club have been relegated from the Premier League twice and fans have voiced their anger at Ashley’s unwillingness to spend in the transfer market.
Ashley almost sold the club last season to businesswoman Amanda Staveley but the deal fell through.
It is said the Toon owner is looking for around £300m to offload the club.
Newcastle saw a three-game winning streak ended last weekend with a 3-0 defeat to West Ham.
They play Everton on Wednesday as pressure grows on manager Rafa Benitez to steer the Magpies clear of the relegation zone.