Malaysian consortium given Newcastle tour

The sale of Newcastle United could have moved a step closer on Thursday after a group of Asian businessmen were shown around the club.

Press Association Sport understands the potential buyers, thought to be from Malaysia, were given a tour of the club's facilities today and have since returned to London to continue discussions.

There was no official confirmation of the story tonight, but with all interested parties having signed non-disclosure agreements, that came as no surprise.

But sources close to the club were not denying it either, and there is a growing feeling that an end to a saga which has rumbled on for more than a month could be in sight.

The identity of the group remains unknown, as do those of most of the consortia who have expressed a serious interest in buying the club.

Current owner Mike Ashley and the people closest to the ongoing negotiations were optimistic yesterday that significant progress could be made within 48 hours, and while there is still much ground to be covered, it appears things are now moving more rapidly.

Indeed, there is a feeling that a deal could be struck within days and the decisive move could be made next week.

A takeover would be effectively complete when the prospective buyer signed a sales purchase agreement, and they could then get on with the business of appointing a manager and starting to re-shape the playing squad.

Ashley put the club up for sale for the second time just days after the Magpies' relegation to the Coca-Cola Championship was confirmed on May 24.

At least four consortia have entered into detailed discussions, with an American-based group among the most advanced, while former chairman Freddy Shepherd has also been heavily involved.

However, Seymour Pierce, the investment bank engaged to handle the sale, have not put any deadline on bids being made and there has always been the possibility that someone could emerge from the pack to win the race.

Ashley has put a £100million price tag on the club and has insisted he will sell to the first consortium to come up with the cash.

A successful conclusion to the current talks would come as a welcome relief for the sportswear magnate, who handed over £134.4m to seal his takeover and has ploughed in around £110million since, although to disastrous effect.

Coloccini set for Newcastle move, insists agent

Updated: July 29, 2008, 9:48 AM UK: Newcastle United are close to completing the signing of Deportivo La Coruna defender Fabricio Coloccini, according to the player's agent Marcelo Lombilla.

Reports in Spain suggest Coloccini has already agreed personal terms with the Premier League side, who are said to have made a £7.8million bid for the Argentina international.
Lombilla met with club president Augusto Cesar Lendoiro again last night to negotiate a move after Depor slapped an £11million price tag on Coloccini's head.
Tottenham are also said to have thrown their hat into the ring, but Lombilla claims he knows nothing about any rival bid.
'The only offer I am dealing with is that of Newcastle,' Lombilla told Spanish sports daily AS. 'Which is the one that I brought about.'
Depor were set to leave for a pre-season tour of Venezuela yesterday but Coloccini was not included in the travelling party and a line on the club website revealed: 'The footballer Fabricio Coloccini remains in La Coruna as his future will be decided in the upcoming days.'
Coloccini, naturally a centre-half but capable of playing at full-back, has made nearly 100 appearances in his three and a half years at the Riazor, and Depor coach Miguel Angel Lotina knows it will be a blow to lose the 26-year-old.
'If Coloccini goes it will be the great disappointment of the summer,' he told Marca.
'The team that takes Coloccini will be getting a quality footballer, a footballer to take your hat off to and they will be playing a dirty trick on me.
'He is a tremendous footballer for what he gives on the pitch and in the dressing room.'

~murshidism~