Newcastle United have issued a "no comment" response to talk that Mike Ashley is ready to sell the club to to the cousin of Manchester City’s Arab owner Sheikh Mansou.
A £350million sale to the Dubai-based billionaire Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nehayan has been claimed in a late night report in the Sun .
United chiefs refused to expand on any details in the report but managing director Lee Charnley is well aware of the situation.
And United's top brass - who are usually quick to knock down takeover stories - have not denied the claims despite being contacted by the Chronicle tonight.
There is a suggestion that the Premier League have been handed signed contracts by the takeover group but top-flight bosses are also yet to comment on the story.
Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nehayan has previously failed in a bid to buy Liverpool and is a senior member of the Abu Dhabi royal family.
Ashley is believed to be out of the country on a planned break but the developing story comes at a time when Rafa Benitez is in active contract discussions with the Magpies.
As reported by Chronicle Live, Benitez has been offered a £61million spending pot for the summer but is yet to agree an extension.
