That take offer could interest Mike Ashley if it would guarantee him a healthy profit.
Interest in buying Newcastle is not new. Derek Llambias admitted that the club fielded enquiries the last time they went down but called the majority of interested parties “tyre kickers” .
News of interest from China in Newcastle comes at a time when United fans are, on the whole, optimistic about the future and satisfied with the way the club is being run.
That is almost solely down to Benitez, who has helped to usher in a new climate around the club . But fans would give credit to Ashley and Charnley for managing to secure Benitez’s future in the summer.
Alan Pardew might have caused some raised eyebrows when he said Ashley “learned lessons” this summer but he has a point – bringing in Benitez and giving him control has made a big difference.
The current Crystal Palace boss managed to finish 5th during his time at St James Park, but the supporters never fully took to him.
There were doubts about his ability to manage egos and the club are now in a much stronger position without him.
“I kept nagging (Ashley), kept telling him I thought the process was wrong. I made that very clear behind closed doors,”
Mike Ashley has changed his approach over the last 12 months, which resulted in the appointment of world class manager Rafa Benitez.
The club are now showing green shoots of recovery and there is some truth in Pardew’s words.
It will be interesting how big a role the owner plays in the future and whether he allows Benitez to do his job without interference.
Newcastle were once a stepping stone club under Pardew, but they are now emerging in their own right and the future looks bright on Tyneside.