A Mexican businessman who tried to buy Newcastle United has admitted that he still sheds 'tears' about his failed takeover bid.
Alejandro Irarragorri, who is the founder of Orlegi Sports Group, previously entered talks with Mike Ashley about purchasing the Magpies in 2017.
Orlegi own Mexican sides Santos Laguna, Club Atlas and Tampico Madero and Irarragorri wanted Newcastle to be the group's first club in Europe.
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Although Irarragorri had a 'positive experience' dealing with Ashley, because he's a 'very straightforward guy', the 50-year-old ultimately got 'nowhere' despite putting a lot of 'money and time in the process'.
“Sometimes I still have tears thinking of it because it was the perfect fit," Irarragorri told the Athletic.
"We understood what he wanted in terms of value and presented him with a project which I am sure would have achieved what he wanted.
"The Newcastle fans would have achieved what they wanted and we would have created the value that we wanted.”
Irarragorri continued: "He and I made the deal and then, when this was taken to his lawyers and his management, it was a nightmare and impossible to put it through.
"We found ourselves in London and worked diligently for it, but we couldn’t make it work.”
Irarragorri did not go into detail about what wrong, but the businessman confirmed that there was an attempt to resurrect the bid in 2018, which would have led to Ashley receiving shares in Orlegi.
However, Irarragorri revealed that it was quickly apparent that Ashley was keen for Orlegi to make a 'clean purchase', and this was not what the Mexican had previously 'agreed'.
Ashley ultimately got his wish last October, of course, when the billionaire sold the club to a Saudi-backed consortium for £305m.
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