The £305million takeover of Newcastle United by a Saudi consortium was not the highest offer on the table, Mike Ashley has revealed.
Backed by Saudi's Public Investment Fund, the takeover was ratified by the Premier League on Thursday and fans were seen leaping into each other's arms, throwing drinks into the air, dancing and singing club anthems.
It brings to an end Ashley's 14-year reign as owner and while fans routinely protested in a bid to force him out, he has opened up on why his decision to take the PIF offer was done in the best interests of Newcastle.