News broke over the weekend of a £340million bid which is also said to involve the billionaire Reuben brothers and Amanda Staveley. We understand talks have been going on for four months – but it remains to be seen as to whether this will be the time Ashley sells. Click and scroll through the pages:
5. Peter Kenyon
The ex-Chelsea chief exec, for months, hit the headlines after stating he had every intention to submit a takeover bid. It went quiet until… well, we’ll come into that in the coming slides. Photo: Jack Dabaghian
6. Chinese consortium
Talk of a bid from a Chinese consortium occurred in 2018 but it would prove to be nothing more than speculation. Photo: Getty Images
7. Murat Ulker
Ulker - chairman of the company that supplies McVities - was reportedly willing to pay £220m but he soon denied his interest and the involvement of Tom McLoughlin, who claimed to be the family's representative in October 2017. Photo: Getty Images
8. Amanda Staveley
Staveley reportedly tabled three bids for the Magpies - ranging between 250million to 350million. While things looked rosy, Ashley pulled the plug in January 2018, labelling it frustrating and a "complete waste of time". Photo: Getty Images