‘Advanced talks’ – Amanda Staveley ‘set’ for shock Premier League return just days after Newcastle Darren Eales steps down
Saka Tijani
2 – 3 minutes
Amanda Staveley is reportedly closing in on a Premier League comeback with Tottenham Hotspur.
The 51-year-old emotionally left the Magpies alongside husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi earlier this year. By her admission, she would have preferred to stay, with her exit coming amid several off-field setbacks.
Staveley lost her multi-million-pound battle with Greek shipping magnate Victor Restis in April over a financial disagreement. She has also been involved in tit-for-tat disputes with former Toon owner Mike Ashley.
There is no suggestion that these contributed to her Newcastle exit but the Public Investment Fund and Reuben brothers soon absorbed her 10 per cent stake, initially down to six per cent before buying her out completely in the summer.
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Staveley – who also brokered Manchester City’s takeover in 2008 – admitted this was against her will while refusing to rule out a possible return to football. She told The Athletic: “My preference would have been to stay with Newcastle, but life doesn’t always work out exactly how you want it to. Nothing is going to replicate that.
“I fell in love with Newcastle, the club and the people and that can’t change, but I didn’t want to get in Newcastle’s way. It’s got to be about what’s best for Newcastle.
“Mehrdad and I are keen to be hands-on. We’re hard-working people, I love to be very busy and to engage and I love football. Very sadly, we have to move on to other projects and that might involve us taking a stake in another club or buying another club and that’s difficult. But it’s possible.”
The Mirror now claim an agreement is close for her to acquire a minority stake at Tottenham. Staveley and Ghodoussi were guests for Spurs’ 3-1 win over Brentford last weekend.
The North London club are looking for investment, with billionaire owner Joe Lewis, who fought legal battles of his own earlier this year, keen to cash in. Former Newcastle co-owner Staveley – the face of the Saudi-backed takeover – will reportedly use her contacts in the Middle East again to finance any potential deal.
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