A number of parties are believed to have shown an interest in buying the recently-relegated club while an unknown Malaysian consortium is believed to have toured St James' Park yesterday.

However, Krishnan has released a statement through Usaha Tegas Sdn Bhd, a company owned by the billionaire, distancing himself from a move for the Magpies.

"News reports were carried on July 5 and July 6 in various newspapers in Malaysia and Singapore that Mr Ananda Krishnan or companies owned by Mr Krishnan had expressed an interest in purchasing Newcastle United Football Club (and) that his representatives had been engaged in talks to explore or even conclude such a deal," said the statement in Malaysian newspaper The New Strait Times.

"There is in fact no truth or foundation to this story.

"Mr Krishnan has not expressed an interest in purchasing Newcastle United Football Club, has not sent any delegation to Newcastle to engage in such talks or authorised any representatives to negotiate on his behalf and is not considering any such purchase."

Little is known about the parties that are believed to have shown an interest, although Newcastle managing director Derek Llambias said on Monday "more than two" had met owner Mike Ashley's asking price of £100million.

Aside from the Malaysian group, Singapore-based Profitable Group, an American consortium and former chairman Freddy Shepherd are thought to be among those who have also entered into discussions.