Newcastle takeover talks collapse as Mike Ashley loses patience with Amanda Staveley bid

Takeover talks between Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley and Amanda Staveley appear to have collapsed after he became exasperated with the failure to make any significant progress in their negotiations.

Despite weeks of supposed talks, club sources have told Telegraph Sport that Ashley no longer believes Staveley is a credible buyer and have even gone so far as to claim the head of PCP Capital failed to table a serious bid.

That is likely to be disputed by the Staveley camp, but it now seems certain she will not become the club’s new owner.

Staveley first expressed an interest in a takeover back in October, but those close to Ashley have always maintained that she has failed to get anywhere near the asking price.

Ashley has tried to give her time to make an offer that would tempt him to sell, but his patience has evaporated.

A source close to Ashley told Sky Sports News: “It is only right to let the fans know that there is no deal on the table - or even under discussion - with Amanda Staveley and PCP. Attempts to reach a deal with A.Staveley & PCP have proved exhausting, frustrating and a complete waste of time.”

Official club sources have said there will be no official statement about the collapse of the takeover talks, but significantly have not denied those comments are a true reflection of Ashley’s position.

The sport shop billionaire is understood to have grown tired of claims in the media that a deal is close to being agreed and felt he needed to clarify the situation because of the uncertainty it has created.

Newcastle supporters will feel a sense of deflation, but on the plus side, it is now believed that Ashley will allow manager Rafa Benitez to strengthen the squad in this transfer window in order to avoid relegation.

The club has not been taken off the market, but while there has been tentative interest shown by other investors, there are no firm bids on the table.