A MYSTERY Malaysian consortium is understood to have stolen a march in the race to become new owners of crisis club Newcastle United.

The Chronicle understands that a bid in excess of £80m has been made by the group, who were given a full tour of St James's Park, the city and the training ground yesterday by managing director Derek Llambias. Mike Ashley was not present.

In a dramatic turn of events the group, who even dropped in to Shearer's Bar, made their way from the city to the training complex and then from Whitley Road to Benton Road to check out the club's Academy.

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IN a summer when raising as much cash as possible through player sales will be crucial, Newcastle United will today watch record signing Michael Owen join Manchester United.

The 29-year-old, released at the end of last season, will join the Premier League and world champions if he passes a medical today.

After just one goal in 14 appearances during 2009, Owen's departure would not have been mourned on Tyneside as recently as yesterday. But the thought that a manager as well respected as Sir Alex Ferguson can see something in the former Magpies captain that Newcastle proved totally incapable of coaxing out of him last term will infuriate their fans.

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ALAN SHEARER's frustrating wait to take over as Newcastle United boss continued today with Chris Hughton attempting to control the shambles at the club's Benton HQ for the second day of pre-season training.

Yet the ex-Spurs man believes the mood in the Toon camp is still "upbeat".

With many United players not knowing whether they are coming or going at the moment, just like United supporters they are braced in the hope of hearing some positive news.

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JONÁS Gutiérrez has become the first senior Newcastle United player to announce he wants to leave the club.

The Argentinian winger was not one of those who returned to Darsley Park yesterday for pre-season training, having been granted extra time off following his international commitments.

However, the 26-year-old has made it clear he does not plan to be part of the side which returns to Football League action after a 16-year absence against West Bromwich Albion on August 8.

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HABIB Beye has recalled the drama of his ill-fated holiday in the Caribbean and insisted: "I'm glad to be back to work."

Newcastle were back for day one of pre-season training under caretaker boss Chris Hughton with many players left in the dark about the club's future with the Magpies still up for sale.

Yet Beye was just a relieved man to be back on Tyneside after suffering the ordeal of losing his passport whilst holidaying in St Barts and facing an anxious wait to be given permission to leave the sun-kissed island to return to Europe.

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MIKE Ashley is expected to know the identity of Newcastle United's new owners by the weekend with a formal public announcement scheduled to be made early next week.

Four different groups began due diligence a fortnight ago and, having analysed the club's accounts, all will be asked to submit final bids in the next 48 hours.

When those bids have been entered, Seymour Pierce - the bank in charge of the sale process - will make its formal recommendation to Ashley regarding which is the best offer for him to accept.

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UPON this very Wednesday, Newcastle United will report back for a season in the Championship, God help us all.

Players are set to return to the scene of their crimes with no new owner, no manager, no skipper, no signings to inspire hope, and no sense of purpose or plan.

Desperately requiring promotion in a solitary season, the only way the Magpies will get out of the Championship right now is by dropping into League One like Leeds, unless bold and decisive action is taken damned quickly. Like this week.

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TURKISH giants Fenerbahce are monitoring the situation surrounding disillusioned Toon defender Steven Taylor.

The injured England Under-21 star had the chance to join the Yellow Canaries last summer before he signed a three-year deal at St James's Park.

Back then Taylor was in contract limbo with United, who dragged their heels over offering him a new contract. However, the defender, along with a clutch of other Newcastle stars, has became unsettled amid confusion over United's future.

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CHRIS Hughton is hoping that his third spell as caretaker boss of Newcastle United is a brief one - after admitting that the club need to appoint a permanent manager "as soon as possible".

With the squad reassembling for the start of pre-season training tomorrow, Hughton has again been asked by United owner Mike Ashley to take charge on a temporary basis. He will be assisted by Colin Calderwood, who has rejoined the club on a week-to-week contract, and goalkeeping coach Paul Barron until there is a breakthrough in Ashley's attempts to sell United.

Hughton admits he has "no idea" how long that will take, but is at pains to point out that his sphere of influence will not include recruitment, player contracts or deciding which of the squad members will be allowed to leave.

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NEWCASTLE United defender Habib Beye is facing a race against time to be back for the start of pre-season training on Wednesday after finding himself stranded in the Caribbean.

The Senegal international was supposed to come back from the sun-soaked island of St Barts on Thursday evening in order to give himself plenty of breathing space ahead of United's July 1 return date.

Beye arrived in St Barts almost a fortnight ago after spending some time in Miami with close pals Djibril Cissé, who has since signed for Greek giants Panathinaikos, and Arsenal ace Samir Nasri.

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