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Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley has been assured by Peter Kenyon that there is a "serious determination" to finalise a takeover at St James' Park.

The ex-Chelsea and Manchester United supremo also believes that discussions are at an "advanced and positive" stage.

As Chronicle Live reported today, some of the groups interested in taking the club off Ashley's hands requested extra time to get their offer in place.

Now details of direct communication between Kenyon - who hopes to front a consortium to buy United - and Ashley have emerged.

We can confirm that dialogue between Kenyon and Ashley has taken place in the last fortnight and that both parties ARE for real when it comes to the club being sold.

In a letter from Kenyon, he states that he is keen to "finalise" the agreement between the club and his consortium in due course.

It also reveals:

* That Ashley sees Kenyon's consortium as the "best fit" for Newcastle in terms of their next owner

* That Kenyon is "committed to conclude a deal" quickly

* That Ashley has "heavily invested time and money" into selling United after a tough tenure in charge

The letter also refers to a "final deal" and as we also reported on Friday morning there is a nod to the legal fees that Ashley has paid over the festive period to keep the prospect of a sale alive.

In the letter, Kenyon refers to the "advanced and positive discussions" had so far ahead of the break for Christmas and New Year celebrations.

He says: "I know I speak for both of us in that we continue to share a serious determination to finalise the agreement we have to suit both parties as soon as possible in the new year.

"We have both spent many months discussing the parameters of a final deal and as you know we have also invested heavily in time and money on our various legal and financial advisors.

"And I appreciate the time and effort committed to the detailed discussions by your advisors, lawyers, club, and, of course, yourself.

"I fully respect your desire to ensure the next owners of Newcastle United understand the club, football, and have the appropriate financial resources, and I am delighted that you think the investor group led by myself is the best fit.

"On my side, I would like to personally assure you that I am committed to conclude our deal as soon as possible and, while we are both perhaps frustrated that we have not progressed as quickly as we would have wished, I would like to express personal gratitude for your patience and integrity in this matter and hope we can continue our discussions in the same spirit."

Mr Ashley is still to receive a final satisfactory offer but details of Kenyon's letter will offer fans more hope that a club sale in 2019 are potentially on the cards.

It is also understood that while Kenyon's group are leading the way the other three interested parties have not been discounted at this stage.