LONDON - AN AMERICAN consortium wants to buy Newcastle but its offer doesn't match owner Mike Ashley's asking price, interim manager Joe Kinnear said on Saturday.

'He told me there were Americans but the offer was well below his estimation of what the club was worth,' Kinnear said of Ashley.

Ashley put the club up for sale in September after fans called for his departure following manager Kevin Keegan's resignation.

Kinnear, who was brought in as stopgap manager, had his contract extended for another month on Friday and boosted his chances of a longer stint Saturday by guiding Newcastle to a 0-0 draw at Premier League leader Chelsea.

'The deal was to be in charge until the club was sold and nothing has changed,' Kinnear said.

'I have been informed that I am here for another month and that will bring us up to the transfer window.'

'So if I can twist his arm and get a few quid (pounds) out of him, I can buy a couple of players.' -- AP