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Oliver Jones

Former Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley will shortly be named as 'preferred bidder' of CBS Arena

Former Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley is set to be named as the 'preferred bidder' for the Coventry Building Society (CBS) Arena, home to Coventry City and Wasps.

It was reported in early October that Ashley, who sold the Magpies last year to a Saudi-led consortium for a reported £305 million, might be interested in buying the stadium and now it appears as though he is ready to send in a bid.

Richard Keys, lifelong Coventry City fan and football pundit, claims that Ashley is ready to make a deal for the arena but isn't interested in buying either one of the clubs who play there.

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Keys took to Twitter and said: "Welcome to Coventry Mike. I’m hearing that Mike Ashley will shortly be named as the preferred bidder for the CBS Arena. Give it 24/48 hours. He’s not interested in Wasps or the football club. Let’s hope he changes his mind on the latter."

Coventry City owners Sisu are reportedly one of four 'credible parties' that are also interested in buying the stadium after the arena's operating company ACL is set to go into administration this week if a buyer is not found as soon as possible.

It's understood that two bids have already been sent in but whether they are from Ashley is not clear. What is seemingly clear though is that he is ready to name his price on the CBS Arena in the coming days.

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