2:05am Friday 11th July 2008
Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has dismissed links with the family of terrorist Osama bin Laden but admitted he was looking for new investment in the club.
The billionaire, who completed a £134.4m takeover at St James' Park a year ago, has found himself surrounded by rumours that he could be ready to sell out.
However, amid speculation that there have been discussions between his representatives and US private equity fund InterMedia Partners, and more intriguingly, the Saudi Binladin Group, Ashley has moved to clarify the situation.
Asked about the link with the bin Laden family, he said: ''I think I'll start with people from Newcastle, not in some cave in Afghanistan.''
The Saudi Binladin Group is run by Osama's half-brother Bakr bin Laden, although the family distanced themselves from the Al-Qaeda founder some years ago.
However, while insisting he has no immediate intention of seeking a buyer, Ashley admitted he would welcome new investors to St James' Park.
He said: ''I would say that I am keen to have partners in Newcastle. That's a very expensive seat I sit in.''
Managing director Derek Llambias moved swiftly this week to dismiss the sell-off talk and accused rumour-mongers of attempting to destabilise the club.
The famously reticent Ashley's comments will add weight to his words after months of speculation that he could make a quick profit on the club and get out.
He spoke out as his Sports Direct empire, which was floated in March last year, reported that profits for the year to April had halved after a drop in sales attributed in part to poor weather last summer and England's failure to qualify for the finals of Euro 2008.
Ashley said: ''I think last year we were on the Titanic and still dancing with the band. This year will be different.''
He will hope the forthcoming season on the football pitch will be equally different as he oversees manager Kevin Keegan's summer recruitment mission.
The Magpies have so far made just one new signing, Argentina winger Jonas Guttierrez, and Keegan will certainly be looking for several more additions to a squad which has been reduced significantly in size by the departures of Stephen Carr, Peter Ramage, James Troisi, Lamine Diatta and David Rozehnal since the end of the last campaign with Emre seemingly certain to follow.
Goalkeeper Steve Harper, the last remaining player signed by Keegan during his first spell as manager, is sure he can be the catalyst for a resurgence of the club.
Harper said: ''He has made a massive impact. We couldn't have been any lower when he came in.
''He has lit the place up. We just hope he receives the backing to bring in the players to get us into the top half of the league.
''Realistically, we are looking at the top eight, but hopefully it can be the top six.
''We finished 12th last year and we have got to get back into the top half of the table.
''But it won't happen overnight.
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