Ashley only formally put the club back on the market a week ago, but it is likely that he decided to sell as soon as relegation from the Premier League was confirmed at the end of May and broker Keith Harris of Seymour Pierce was reportedly commissioned to find a buyer soon after.
There have been several parties linked with a bid and an American interest has been mentioned from the beginning. It is said that Newcastle have prepared their accounts for due diligence and that the process could be quicker than usual.