Former West Brom striker linked with shock consortium non-league takeover

The Nigerian is said to be fronting a consortium's approach for the National League club, who have been supporter-owned since 2019.

Anichebe, now 36, has been spotted several times at Gateshead's International Stadium in recent weeks.

Reports in the north east claim Gateshead are tight-lipped about the speculation. The Heed are sixth in the National League and fighting for a play-off place for promotion to the Football League.

It is an unlikely development in the post-playing career of the ex-Super Eagles international. Anichebe last played briefly for Chinese club Beijing Enterprises Group in 2017 but has not featured professionally since, hanging up his boots prior to turning 30.

He played 63 times and scored nine goals for Albion between 2013 and 2016 and clocked up more than 150 appearances for Everton previously. After leaving The Hawthorns, Anichebe spent one more Premier League season with Sunderland.

Gateshead were relegated to step six, the tier below the National League, for financial irregularities in 2019 and have been fan-owned since.

Former Wolves and Newcastle defender Mike Williamson since guided them to the National League North title and a return to non-league's top tier.

Speculation of a potential takeover of the Tynesiders began last week and involved yet another ex-Baggies player.

Yeovil Town boss Mark Cooper claimed somebody had allegedly agreed a deal with a Yeovil frontman Frank Nouble for a transfer to Gateshead, despite not yet owning the club.

"I think this person did a deal with Frank's agent, which obviously unsettled Frank," said Cooper. "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."

Nouble, 33, had a three-game loan at The Hawthorns in 2009/2010 as a youngster on loan from West Ham.