an Asian businessman who is twice as rich as Chelsea's Roman Abramovich is behind a move to take over Newcastle United, it is reported.
Billionaire Anil Ambani, the world's sixth richest man, is involved in one of the two potential £260m bids to buy out Toon owner Mike Ashley, says the News of the World.

India's second richest man — who has a personal fortune of £21billion — has been in negotiations with Ashley for several weeks, and has made it perfectly clear he will rival Abramovich in the spending stakes.

A figure of around £150m for players has been discussed in Ambani's inner circle with the telecoms magnate happy to sanction such a sum.

Ambani's Reliance Communications (RCom) is the largest supplier of mobile phones on the sub-continent and one of India's most successful companies.

The News of the World says such a takeover would leave boss Kevin Keegan's future in doubt, with the feeling that a high-profile and experienced foreign manager is the key to progress.