Newcastle United takeover saga takes 'interesting' twist as Magpies 'keep tabs' on £17m-rated Ligue 1 star

OXFORD, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 04: Mike Ashley owner of Newcastle United talks to managing Directory Lee Charnley ahead of the FA Cup Fourth Round Replay match between Oxford United and Newcastle United at Kassam Stadium on February 04, 2020 in Oxford, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

However, it isn’t matters on the pitch that have dominated the headlines in recent weeks due to the recent takeover saga.

And fresh reports today suggest talk of Mike Ashley ending his 14-year stay as Newcastle owner is showing no sign of slowing down.

Bloomberg, a media outlet in the USA, claims entrepreneur Carla DiBello, a socialite friend of Kim Kardashian West, is working alongside Amanda Staveley in the Saudi group’s bid to purchase the Magpies in a £340million deal.

DiBello is said to be “advising” on the deal, due to her connections in the business world both in the USA and the Middle East.

You can read more about DiBello’s involvement at the Shields Gazette HERE.

Meanwhile, Eurosport France journalist Manu Lonjon understands United are keeping tabs on Levante striker Moses Simon.

The bad news is, however, is Nantes, the club he is currently on loan at, are likely to activate a £5million clause that was pre-agreed in the summer deal.

Lyon and Hertha Berlin have also shown an interest in the 24-year-old Nigerian, with the report claiming he is now worth around £17-18m.

In other transfer news, Arsenal have joined the race for Brentford attacker Said Benrahma, according to the Telegraph.

A report earlier in the week claimed the Magpies, alongside Leicester City, were interested in a £15m summer deal.