(Telegraph) pours cold water on the South African bid. “Dismissing media reports of his involvement in a so-called ‘Bok consortium’, Johann Rupert said: ‘These reports have never been true. It’s utter nonsense.’ Various reports yesterday claimed Rupert, South Africa’s richest man, was part of a five-strong South African group that had tabled a £300 million bid for Newcastle. Seymour Price, the company employed by owner Mike Ashley to handle the sale of the club, denied they have received a formal offer, and Rupert’s stance now suggests the South African consortium is not the frontrunner some reports have indicated.”

Yet according to the Independent’s Michael Walker, the Bok consortium is in full flow. “On another day of claim and counter at Newcastle United, the South African consortium interested in buying the club reportedly submitted an offer of £280m-£300m. No sooner had that been apparently confirmed, however, that sources close to Seymour Pierce, the investment bank commissioned by Mike Ashley to sell Newcastle, said that no formal bid had been received… Other business figures named alongside Rupert are Brian Gilbertson, Vivian Imerman and Brian Joffe. Simon Clifford, once close to Juninho at Middlesbrough and promoter of Futsal in Britain, is offering football advice. Clifford had a short period at Southampton as Clive Woodward’s assistant and is manager of Garforth Town. Clifford is expected to have a role at the club if the South Africans take over. Among some financial observers, going public at this time in the process is unusual and to some it has placed a question mark against the South Africans. Privately the Nigerian consortium insists it is still competitive.”

After reaching his amazing personal milestone of 100 Liverpool goals, Tim Rich (Telegraph) believes that Steven Gerrard is fast becoming Liverpool’s own Bobby Charlton

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