Troubled United may lose Sebastien Bassong

Jun 10 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

TOTTENHAM and Arsenal are readying imminent bids for Sebastien Bassong as they look to exploit the growing confusion and turmoil at Newcastle United.

With no manager and an owner desperate to sell, the club are in a state of limbo and another frustrating day passed with no significant progress made on either front yesterday.

Sources close to Alan Shearer claimed no further contact from the club and no meeting scheduled between the former United striker and the board at St James’s Park – an unsatisfactory situation with time ticking away until the start of pre-season training on July 1.

And while United managing director Derek Llambias confirmed the club are in talks with “three or four” credible parties yesterday, claims that a group based in Singapore have shown formal interest were vehemently denied by Newcastle.

Senior figures in the Profitable group had claimed they wanted to take control of United, putting Shearer in charge and providing funds for a concerted promotion charge.

But Llambias played down talk of contact between the group and the club. While confirming “three or four” consortia are engaged in discussions to take over on Tyneside, Llambias said Profitable were not one of them.

“We know who this Profitable group are because we had some dealings with them last summer regarding some business in the Far East,” he said.

“But we have had absolutely no contact with them since then.

“There hasn't been a bid and there hasn't been an enquiry. They have claimed they have met Mike and myself to discuss things and they haven't. It's total rubbish.