Amanda Staveley breaks silence on Newcastle United bid and reveals her next move
Ashley, the club's owner, walked away from discussions with the Dubai-based financier, publicly labelling them a waste of time.
The billionaire has since failed to find a buyer for the club, which remains for sale for £300million.
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Hide AdStaveley has spoken to The National about the ambitions of PCP Capital Partners, her investment firm, which is looking at a "lot of clubs", including relegation-threatened United.
“We're big fans of Newcastle, big fans of the team,” said Staveley. "We have no issue with Mr Ashley – that (the "waste of time claim") is water under the bridge.
"It’s still an interesting club to us – the fans are fantastic – but we're looking at a lot of clubs.”
Staveley helped broker Sheikh Mansour's 2008 takeover of Manchester City – and the 45-year-old has told of her "pride" at the club's achievements on and off the pitch.
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Hide Ad“I’m a total tomboy – I’m a football fan,” said Staveley. "I enjoy it very much.
“We're sensible people who invest other people’s money. We would also put our own capital in – of course we would – but with financial fair play rules, all football clubs have to be financially stable.
“I'm hugely proud of Man City. We're not looking at creating another Man City in terms of the huge levels of investment they’ve had on players.
"But what I love about Man City is how they have invested so well in Manchester, in the area. That’s really important, and the sort of thing we would want to do elsewhere.”
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Hide AdStaveley outlined her vision for Newcastle last January after Ashley broke off talks.
"This is an investment, but it has to be a long-term investment," said Staveley. "Newcastle would be run as a business, but we want it to be a successful, thriving business that's an absolutely integral part of the city.
"This is an investment, but it has to be a long-term investment.
"Newcastle would be run as a business, but we want it to be a successful, thriving business that is an absolutely integral part of the city."