Report: Amanda Staveley set to make formal Newcastle bid

Amanda Staveley is one step nearer to a Newcastle United takeover after reports surfaced Wednesday that the British financier is set to make a £300-million bid for the club in the coming weeks.

Days after current owner Mike Ashley expressed an interest in selling the Premier League side by Christmas, the Telegraphs' Luke Edwards reports that Stavely is nearing an offer after a first meeting with club officials during a 1-1 draw against Liverpool on Oct. 1.

Related: Mike Ashley puts Newcastle up for sale

Ashley's urgency has not discouraged Staveley, and its understood the Magpies suitor would like control of the team in December to inject funds into Rafa Benitez's January transfer plans.

The main obstacle appears to be Ashley's valuation of the club he bought in 2007 for a reported fee of £130 million.

Staveley, 44, is a North Yorkshire-born businesswoman who played a vital role in the ruling families of Abu Dhabi and Qatar's £7.3-billion investment in British bank Barclays in 2008. She also played a part in Sheikh Mansour's £210-million purchase of Manchester City and was involved in Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's failed attempt to buy a 49 percent stake in Liverpool.