Former Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley has broken his takeover silence and claimed he turned down a 'higher offer' for the Magpies.
The Fraser Group magnate's controversial 14-year tenure on Tyneside was finally brought to an end on Thursday, with Premier League approval secured for the £300m sale to the Saudi-led consortium.
United's new owners have already outlined ambitions to challenge for the Premier League title following more than a decade of fighting relegation and mid-table mediocrity.
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Supporters initially welcomed Ashley's own takeover in 2007, with the the businessman regularly donning the black-and-white stripes and enjoying matches with the away fans.
However, this relationship quickly soured and much of the intervening years has been dominated by fan frustration and repeated calls for the club to be sold.
There have been previous false dawns, but Ashley's commitment to the latest deal struck with the Saudi-led consortium in April 2020 has finally resulted in his protracted departure.
The unpopular former owner was the subject of frequent criticism in recent months over his valuation of the club, but he insists his dedication to the deal was driven by his desire to see the 'best for Newcastle'.
He told the Sun: “I would like it to be known that I received a higher offer for the club than the one that I accepted.
“It was from another reputable bidder, who made a credible case.
“But I felt the bid that we accepted from the current new owners would deliver the best for Newcastle United.
“Money wasn’t my only consideration. There were times when I stepped in financially to keep Newcastle United afloat.
“We ensured the wage bills were paid when we went down in order that we could bounce straight back up.
“Nobody was happier than me when we achieved immediate promotion.”
