Former Newcastle owner Mike Ashley 'exploring return to football' with EFL strugglers as fans fume 'God help them' | The Sun

MIKE ASHLEY is interested in buying League One strugglers Reading, according to reports.

The Royals fell to the bottom of the third tier after surrendering a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 to Portsmouth yesterday.

Reading were slapped with a four-point deduction earlier this season for financial issues.

Their owner Dai Yongge was subsequently charged with misconduct by the EFL.

The Royals confirmed that their owner was "seeking sources of stable external investment for the football club, with the aim of mitigating the risk of cashflow complications arising in future".

According to Sky Sports, former Newcastle owner Ashley is "exploring an investment" in the League One side.

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It's not yet clear whether Ashley would want to buy a full or partial stake in the club.

A pair of Frasers Group helicopters, owned by Ashley, landed in the Madejski Stadium car park earlier today.

Meetings are understood to have taken place between Ashley representatives and senior Reading chiefs.

Last year, Ashley bought Coventry's CBS Arena from cash-strapped rugby club Wasps.

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He is believed to be keen on returning to sport in a bigger capacity.

Ashley owned Newcastle between 2007 and 2021.

The 59-year-old became an unpopular figure in the Toon, and eventually sold to the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund.

Many fans have been left concerned by Ashley's potential involvement at Reading.

One wrote on social media: "God help them if he does."

While a second tweeted: "They’ve gone through enough."

A third dramatically posted: "RIP Reading."

And a fourth added: "Say goodbye to any hope of getting back the club you once knew. Reading. It's poor form all the way if this happens."

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