Ex-Sunderland & Everton star linked with shock takeover of National League side

The National League side are the subject of ongoing speculation regarding a sale.

Supporters have owned the club since 2019 after the Heed were relegated to the sixth tier due to financial irregularities.

However, former Everton striker Victor Anichebe has recently been linked with a move to buy the club.

It comes after the 36-year-old was spotted at several matches at the International Stadium.

According to the Chronicle, the club issued a statement of 'no comment' when asked whether Anichebe was in takeover talks.

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Speculation regarding a possible takeover first emerged last week after a claim from Yeovil manager Mark Cooper.

The Glovers boss alleged that someone had agreed a deal with his player Frank Nouble to join Gateshead despite not yet owning the club.

Cooper said in a press conference: "Frank wanted to go to Gateshead. Somebody from Gateshead approached him that we've now found out, has no influence or doesn't own the football club.

"I think this person did a deal with Frank's agent, which obviously unsettled Frank. Which it would do because he had a good deal going to Gateshead. And then, it went quiet. We then found out that there was no deal.

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"The person doing the deal with Frank's agent and Frank had no jurisdiction to do the deal, because as far as I'm aware he doesn't yet own Gateshead.

"Really disappointing from Gateshead's side of it and feel sorry for Frank really but he wanted to go.

"He made it clear he wanted to go and play for Gateshead, we granted that wish but it's fell through so we'll wait to see what happens."

The Chronicle also report that the club responded with 'no comment' when asked about Cooper's comments.

Anichebe had spells with the Toffees, West Brom and Sunderland during his playing career.

Overall, he scored 27 goals in 204 Premier League appearances during his career.

After winning 11 caps for Nigeria, though, Anichebe retired aged 30 in 2018 following a spell in China.

As for Gateshead, Carl Magnay's side are currently sixth in the National League with eight matches remaining.

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The club's current position would be enough to earn them a spot in the play-offs, which they were denied last term.

Gateshead have resolved the issues with their stadium which prevented them from meeting the EFL's entry criteria a year ago.

Since forming in 1977, the Tynesiders have yet to play higher than the fifth tier of English football.