I wont sell Newcastle, vows Ashley

Newcastle owner Mike Ashley insisted Thursday he has no intention of selling the Premier League club despite appealing for new investors.

Recent reports claimed Ashley was keen to off-load Newcastle, with an American investment group and a company owned by relatives of Osama bin Laden both linked with bids.

Ashley's Sports Direct empire saw profits for the year to April halved after a drop in sales, fuelling speculation he needed to cash in on Newcastle.

But, asked about any plans to sell the club, the billionaire told the Evening Standard: “That is not true. I would say that I am keen to have partners in Newcastle. That's a very expensive seat I sit in.”

The Saudi Binladin Group, run by Osama bin Laden's half-brother Bakr bin Laden, have distanced themselves from Al-Qaeda but Ashley still gave short shrift to that link.

“I think I'll start with people from Newcastle, not in some cave in Afghanistan,” he said.