'A strange one' - Inside Henry Mauriss' Newcastle United 'bid' amid Sheffield United link

The name Henry Mauriss may be new to Blades fans, but it's one that is more than familiar to Newcastle supporters. The American businessman has been linked with a takeover at Bramall Lane, with reports suggesting a deal to buy the club is being reviewed by the EFL.

A story published by the BBC last week claimed Mauriss' company has told them they believe they have 'demonstrated the financial capability to purchase and sustain the club', while current Sheffield United owner Prince Abdullah is understood to have played down the chances of a takeover happening as being at 'less than 50%' during an interview with Saudi Arabian newspaper Al Yaum.

The extent of the Californian's wealth is unknown. He has been referred to as a billionaire in some circles, but it's believed he originally made his money in the credit card and finance industry before moving into media, where he is now CEO of ClearTV.

His name first surfaced in 2020 during a reported takeover attempt at Newcastle. Saudi Arabian billionaire Mohammed Bin Salman looked all set to buy the Premier League club for £300million from Mike Ashley, but it hit the rocks.

It was then reported that Mauriss pounced and came in with a £350million offer but it has since been claimed that Ashley walked away due to a lack of progress. At the time, the Daily Mirror reported that his bid to buy the Magpies was brokered by convicted fraudster Chris Ronnie - the former JJB Sports chief who was jailed for four years in 2014 for a £1m fraud.

The national newspaper claimed Ronnie brought the Mauriss bid to Ashley. In the end, Amanda Staveley and Yasir Al-Rumayyan eventually had their offer to buy Newcastle accepted and the takeover went through in October 2021.

Was Mauriss' bid genuine? Or