Ashley 'edges closer to Blacks deal'
Mike Ashley's Sports Direct is thought to be among four interested buyers vying for embattled outdoor retailer Blacks ahead of tomorrow's sale deadline.
Northampton-based Blacks, which put itself on the market before Christmas after amassing about £36m of debt, is seeking a completed sale by tomorrow (Thursday 5 January).
Sports Direct, which previously said it was uninterested in purchasing the share capital of Blacks, is rumoured to be the frontrunner. The identities of the other three bidders are unclear.
Newcastle United owner Ashley is Blacks' majority shareholder, with a 22.5 per cent interest.
The outdoor camping retailer said last week that a full sale looked "unlikely" and implied it would turn to a pre-pack deal to save as many of its 3,600 jobs as possible.
Blacks' brands include Millets, Peter Storm and Eurohike.
Professional services firm KPMG is running the sale of Blacks Leisure and is also expected to oversee the administration.
