SUGGESTIONS THAT a company run by relatives of Osama bin Laden could be poised to buy Newcastle United were dismissed as "absolute nonsense" yesterday.

That two-word response from a club spokesman to inquiries about mooted takeovers is threatening to turn into a soundtrack to the close season at St James' Park, but Newcastle's stock denial has been contradicted by another purported purchaser.

On Friday, Newcastle United maintained reports of the club being offered to New York-based finance company InterMedia Partners for €530 million were "absolute nonsense", but a day later a spokesman for the US private equity firm made a conflicting statement. "InterMedia was approached about a deal, made no offer and has no interest," he said.

And just 24 hours on from InterMedia's admission of an approach from Tyneside, it was reported that the Saudi Binladen Group (SBG), a Jeddah-based, construction company whose chief executive, Bakr bin Laden, is the half-brother of the world's most wanted man, is pondering a potential €380 million bid for the club.

Meanwhile the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) is also believed to be considering making an offer.