Representatives of a half-brother of Manchester City‘s owner Sheik Mansour claimed on Sunday night that he is on the brink of sealing an extraordinary £350m takeover of Newcastle United.

The closest working associate to Sheik Khaled bin Zayed Al Nehayan told Sportsmail on Sunday night that a deal is ‘concluded’ between Mike Ashley and Sheik Khaled, an Emirati member of the family who govern Abu Dhabi.

The representatives also insisted that the prospective new owner is very keen to keep Rafa Benitez as manager of the club and that the takeover is expected to be done in time for this summer’s transfer window.

The Sheik believes that Ashley has decided to end his turbulent twelve years in charge and agreed to the sale. Senior Newcastle United sources refused to comment when approached by this newspaper on Sunday night.

‘We would politely decline to comment at this time,’ a senior source said.

Both Sheik Khaled and City owner Sheik Mansour are sons of the late Sheik Zayed bin Sultan Al Nehayan, President of the UAE and ruler of Abu Dhabi. Khaled is the youngest of 19 sons.

Sheik Khaled had failed in a £2bn bid to buy Liverpool in a proposal that would have constituted the most expensive takeover in the history of football.

Adapted from Daily Mail UK