Newcastle United managing director Derek Llambias has confirmed that there have been 'more than two bids' which meet owner Mike Ashley's £100million asking price for the Championship outfit.

Millionaire businessman Ashley bought the club for £135million just two years ago and is believed to have invested around another £110million to pay off various debts and to bring in new players to St James Park since then.

However, following the club's relegation at the end of last season he decided to put the club back up for sale following a disastrous 24 months at the helm and said that he wanted to avoid an 'auction' by selling the club to the first person/group who agreed to meet his asking price.

And although the identities of the bidders remain under wraps with all having signed non-disclosure agreements before being granted access to the club's books, Llambias is understood to have shown a Malaysian consortium around St James' Park and the club's training ground last week.

Meanwhile, Singapore-based Profitable Group and former chairman Freddy Shepherd are also known to have held discussions with Seymour Pierce, the investment bank handling the sale.

"There have been more than two bids at £100million," Llambias is quoted as saying on skysports.com.

"At the moment, we are in the hands of lawyers and it is all ongoing.

"We are giving interested parties all the help that they need."