Murat Ulker denies £220m Newcastle United takeover bid
Turkey’s richest man Murat Ulker was ready to pay £220 million for the Newcastle United according to the Evening Standard.
The report claimed that Ulker was a frontrunner in the race to buy the club and that he was prepared to hand Rafa Benitez £60million to spend in January if he completed a deal.
Current owner Mike Ashley officially put Newcastle up for sale on Monday.
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The business tycoon has however, denied claims that a takeover bid is underway and denied being in negotiation over a deal.
Yildiz Holding press officer Zuhal Seker said: “The company is not buying Newcastle United and no negotiations have taken place. We wish the club success in finding a new owner.”
Ulker is the chairman of Yildiz Holding, one of the largest conglomerates in Turkey.
The group owns several brands popular to a British consumers including McVitie’s, Jaffa Cakes and Penguin bars.
Ulker is no stranger to the world of sport. He played an important role in founding the Ulkerspor Basketball Club, which has subsequently united with Fenerbahce.
The Ulker brand also own the naming rights for the Fenerbahce Sukru Saracoglu Stadium for the next 10 years.
