American businessman Henry Mauriss has made a £350million offer to buy Newcastle United and wants to take control before next season, sources have told MailOnline.
It is said that Mauriss is ready to move quickly but any deal would be dependent on the collapse of the Saudi-led takeover currently subject to the Premier League’s owners and directors test.
Mike Ashley agreed a £300m price with the Saudi consortium in April and it is not known why Mauriss has offered £50m more.
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Newcastle supporters are sure to be sceptical of the claims and they remain hopeful that the Premier League will approve the Saudi deal.
Little is known about Mauriss’ worth but he is the current CEO of Clear TV, who provide broadcasting services for airports and hospitals.
He set up the company in 2014 having previously started his own credit card business – Credit America Coroporation – which he founded in 1998.
Sources insist the offer is genuine and that Mauriss is a viable buyer of a Premier League football club.
READ ALSO: Saudi based company close in on £300m Newcastle United takeover bid
However, the timing of the offer is sure to raise eyebrows and is yet another twist in the never-ending saga that has become the proposed takeover of Newcastle.
Who is Henry Mauriss?
From Burbank, California, Mauriss is an American businessman who has made his money through credit card and media enterprises.
He is currently the CEO of Clear TV Media, a company that provides broadcasting services for airports, hospitals and other areas outside of the home, reaching more than 85 million viewers.
He set up the company in 2014, having previously started his own credit card business – Credit America Coroporation – which he founded in 1998.
A big fan of Major League Baseball and reportedly a Tottenham fan, Mauriss looks to have the appetite for sport.
What is his worth?
According to reports, Mauriss is ready to better the offer currently on the table for the Magpies.
While Staveley et al have seen a bid of £300m accepted, Mauriss would be willing to meet Ashley’s original asking price of £350m.
While no word of his net worth is publicly available, nor a valuation on his current media company, he was responsible for purchasing, converting and reselling over $7billion via portfolio trades at Credit America.
While his net worth comes nowhere near that of the Saudi PIF, it is thought he could still implement the kind of change at St James’ Park envisaged by those currently in the driving seat to replace Ashley.
Source: DailyMail
