Mike Ashley has become a pariah among Newcastle fans because of a perceived lack of investment MARTIN RICKETTMike Ashley is in talks to sell Newcastle United FC to Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund for £340m, a deal that could spark a wave of investment in the club. The billionaire founder of Sports Direct is in talks with the Public Investment Fund, Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman’s investment vehicle, according to The Wall Street Journal. The newspaper said a deal, being brokered by financier Amanda Staveley, could be days or weeks away. Ashley has become a pariah among Newcastle fans, who have deserted the club’s home games in their thousands in protest at a perceived lack of investment. A sale could result in a cash boost for the city as Abu Dhabi’s royal family has bankrolled the regeneration of parts of east Manchester…

Source: The Times January 26, 2020 00:16 UTC