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Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley is open to the prospect of two of the interested consortia joining forces.

The groups led by Peter Kenyon and Garry Cook are both backed by money from the USA, and the idea of them teaming up to complete a takeover is now being considered after being put to them by Ashley.

Kenyon's interest in taking over from Ashley has been rubber-stamped by the emergence of a letter written by the ex-Chelsea and Man United supremo last month.

In it he stated the group were "serious" about taking over the club after 12 years of Ashley on Tyneside.

Newcastle sources have confirmed the letter is genuine in the past 24 hours and four groups are still said to be in the race in the eyes of Ashley and his advisors.

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However, it was suggested that it makes sense to invite two of the US-based groups to club together with their bid.

The letter revealed last night: "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."

Ashley is due back from his holiday next week, but is still hopeful of selling the club in 2019.