Newcastle takeover will take them to Manchester United level - Sir John Hall

NEWCASTLE can reach the heights of Manchester United if the proposed takeover goes ahead, according to former owner Sir John Hall.

Mike AshleyGETTY

Mike Ashley is looking to sell Newcastle before Christmas

Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has announced he intends on selling the club and is keen to do so before Christmas.

The Sports Direct founder purchased the Toon in 2007 for £134million but now feels he has achieved “all that can be done” with the club.

Ashley has previously stated he has been unable to compete financially with the likes of Manchester City in recent seasons.

However, former owner Sir John Hall thinks a takeover could be just what the club needs, taking them to the financial heights of Manchester United.

Sir John HallGETTY

Sir John Hall thinks Newcastle could compete with Manchester United in the next five years

Mike Ashley puts Newcastle United up for sale

"Manchester United are now worth more than a billion and the rest of the top five or six must be worth £600m to a billion," Hall told The Sun

"Newcastle have the potential to move up to that level.

“Instead of buying one of the very top clubs, you could buy Newcastle for the £350m asking price, invest another £350m, then build the club up.

“But you have to stay with it because it will take a good few years to compete with the top clubs. You are talking about a five-year period."

Ashley’s lawyer, Andrew Henderson of Dentons told Sky Sports this week it was his intention to sell the club after 10 years at the helm.

“There has obviously been a lot of press speculation about Mike's intentions towards the club,” he said.

“I think there is a view that over the years there has been a considerable investment, perhaps a feeling that all that can be done has been done.

“Our intentions at the moment are to see if the club can be brought forward into new ownership by potentially Christmas.”

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