- Mike Ashley branded negotiations with Amanda Staveley a ‘waste of time’
- She has now claimed she made three offers, including one worth £250million
- Ashley’s camp say each included caveats that rendered them unacceptable
- It now appears extremely unlikely that any deal will be struck between the pair
Newcastle United’s takeover saga has descended into a farcical situation of claim and counterclaim with Amanda Staveley speaking of her hurt and upset over the failed bid and its aftermath.
Owner Mike Ashley let it be known earlier this week that negotiations with Staveley and PCP Capital Partners were over and had been ‘exhausting, frustrating and a complete waste of time’.
Staveley has now responded to accusations of time-wasting, saying they were ‘hugely hurtful’ and stating categorically that a bid for the club remains on the table.
The Newcastle owner is now said to be concentrating all of his efforts on helping Rafa Benitez make new signings before the end of January.
Staveley insists her offer remains on the table – £250m up front – but Ashley wants to move on

Mike Ashley says Amanda Staveley’s offers came with caveats which made them unacceptable
But Staveley has hit back, claiming in a newspaper interview that she has made three offers for the club, the last of which, on November 17, was for £250million without any clauses.
Ashley’s camp deny this and say each offer was made with caveats, be that in the event of relegation from the Premier League or a penalty imposed by HMRC in light of their investigation into the club’s alleged tax fraud.
Staveley insists her offer remains on the table – £250m up front – but Ashley continues to dismiss the 44-year-old’s efforts to buy the club and wants to move on, although Newcastle remains for sale.
It now appears extremely unlikely that any deal will be struck between Staveley and Ashley, especially as he values the club at closer to £350m.

Ashley said negotiations had been ‘exhausting, frustrating and a complete waste of time’
But Stavely told The Times: ‘The suggestion that we were either wasting time or not serious is absurd. It’s hurtful. Hugely hurtful.
‘This is something we’ve been working really hard on. It’s not something we’ve just thrown together. I’m putting a lot of my own capital into this and our investors, who come from around the world, include sovereign wealth funds.’
Staveley was responding to a statement from those close to Ashley released on Tuesday, which read: ‘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 and PCP have proved exhausting, frustrating and a complete waste of time.’