United quell reports

9:04am Tuesday 8th July 2008

NEWCASTLE UNITED have, once again, moved to strongly dispute the suggestion that the club's billionaire owner, Mike Ashley, is looking to sell.

A weekend newspaper article claimed a construction company run by the family of terrorist Osama bin Laden was the latest to be considering making an offer for the Premier League club.

And that report followed just hours after InterMedia, a New York finance company, insisted they had been approached by a third party about taking control at St James' Park.

But Newcastle managing director Derek Llambias says Ashley has no intention of selling up.

"At a time when everyone at Newcastle United is working hard to prepare for the new season ahead, it is annoying that we have to correct inaccurate stories," said Llambias.

"Whoever is putting these stories around is clearly trying to destabilise the club.

Those actions speak louder than any words. I'm sure the supporters see these stories for what they are - utter nonsense."

Over the weekend a brief statement was issued on Llambias' behalf, but yesterday was the first time either he or Ashley have felt the need to comment personally.

After the departure of chairman Chris Mort at the start of the month, Ashley is thought to have taken more of a hands on role and fans would like to hear his comments too.

For now, though, Llambias' stance is designed to offer Newcastle fans the reassurance the current regime are not looking to sell up - just a year after taking over from former chairman Freddy Shepherd.

Llambias insists work is going on behind the scenes to strengthen the Newcastle squad, knowing how Kevin Keegan only had 13 senior members of his squad to work with yesterday.

Keegan is frustrated with the low number of arrivals and he was told yesterday that Steve Sidwell is in no mood to leave Chelsea fast.

The Blues value the former Reading midfielder at £5.5m, although the player is keen to discuss his future with new Blues boss Luiz Felipe Scolari before deciding his next step.

Sidwell's agent, Eric Walters, said: "He is in no rush to leave Chelsea.

"There is a new manager coming in and he would at least like to meet with him over the next couple of weeks to discuss his future in person."

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