Reading director Nigel Howe has revealed that former Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley has 'not revisited' a potential takeover.

The Sports Direct founder, born and raised in nearby Buckinghamshire, got tongues wagging in November when his branded helicopter landed in the car park at the SCL Stadium.

The Frasers Group director spent a decade in charge of the Magpies before selling to the Saudi PIF, proving an unpopular figure on Tyneside.

Howe, who has been put in charge of finding a buyer by current owner Dai Yongge, opened up on the sale process and Ashley in an interview with BBC Berkshire.

READ MORE: Reading FC chief warn supporters on takeover timescale

"We had a couple of conversations with Mike’s people six or seven weeks ago," Howe confirmed. "That is when we were really looking around to see what opportunities were. None of those came to anything because I think at the time it looked like because the club wasn’t being funded properly and Mr Dai was desperate to sell. We’ve gone into a much more transactional process now where we’re talking to people in a proper way. At this stage, Mr Ashley’s people haven’t revisited."

Howe believes the club are at least 'a couple of months' from securing a new owner.