Former Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley, who earned the erstwhile status only recently with regards to the Magpies, is keen on moving on and is looking for other opportunities in English football. According to Daily Mirror, he is interested in taking over Derby County, who entered administration a few weeks ago.
The consortium of Saudi Arabia’s Private Investment Fund, England’s PFP Capital Partners and R&B Media have officially taken over Newcastle United and have paid 305 million pounds to complete the transaction.
Learn more 👉 Newcastle linked with big-money arrivals as Saudi consortium completes takeover
The Geordie club are already looking for some big winter signings in January, and the new owners are desperate to ensure they don’t get relegated.
Ashley wasn’t the most popular figures in Tyneside, with the fans constantly in disagreement with the way they were run. He took over the 4-time first division champions in 2007, but the club getting relegated twice, and the controversy surrounding fan-favourite Kevin Keegan did not help Ashley’s reputation.
The legendary English player often accused Ashley of disrespecting the fans and after getting sacked in 2008. Keegan had mentioned that he will be interested in managing the club again only when Ashley leaves.
However, the Ashley Sports Direct, which is situated just 30 miles away from Derby County’s home ground, the Pride Park, has been in negotiations with the club to complete a potential takeover soon.
With financial turmoil resorting them into administration, the club were docked 12 points in the Championship. Wayne Rooney’s men currently find themselves at the foot of the second division table with 2 points to their credit. The docked points negated an inspired start from Derby, at a time when they had just 14 active players in the line-up.
Derby’s administration have already listened to potential offers from buyers and it is a possibility that he could save them from the turmoil. The Rams, who won the first division title twice in the 70s, are desperate for a breath of fresh air. Whilst Ashley has had his struggles in his previous tenure, there are reports suggesting he intends to give his Sports Direct platform a public platform and owning this club could help in that pursuit.
