Newcastle United are attracting takeover interest, but tycoons are being put off by the scrutiny being a club owner brings.

The Mirror says Mike Ashley wants around £350m to sell up, which senior officials say is a “fair price."

Ashley has offered to take stages payments to lighten the burden, and says he will only sell to someone with the financial muscle to move the club forward.

Ex-Chelsea and Manchester United chief Peter Kenyon is trying to raise cash from investors for a bid.

Ashley told his players this week that there was no sale in the offing.