TalkSPORT pundit raises new takeover theory - Is this how potential buyers approached Ashley?
Speaking on talkSPORT, Tony Cascarino wonders whether potential buyers have tried to buy Newcastle on the 'absolute cheap' by 'taking advantage' of our league position and the pressure on Ashley from both Benitez and fans.
First of all, I'm a firm believer that Ashley's greed will have played a big part in his inability to sell - whether that be his asking price or the idea he may want a Sports Direct presence to remain at the club under new ownership - but there could be some merit in Cascarino's comments.
Just like Ashley played a waiting game for Almiron in the hope that Atlanta would budge on asking price, maybe potential buyers have done the same given he himself has been under pressure to sell from all angles.
Here's what Cascarino has had to say when speaking on talkSPORT earlier today:
"You do have to wonder from the outside if people are trying to take advantage of trying to get Newcastle on the absolute cheap. And thinking the fans will put pressure on Ashley and he will budge.
“But he is a businessman and he probably won’t. As much as Newcastle fans will think he is wrong for their football club, which is probably a fair argument. Ashley is entitled to say ‘no’ to offers if he doesn’t think are even close to what he values the club at.”
If you were considering buying the club in a deal worth hundreds of millions, you probably would hope that Ashley would budge given his situation with Benitez, his relationship with the fans and the fact 'his' club were in serious danger of going down just a few months ago.
Just look at Kenyon. His interest was described as 'serious', but the fact he couldn't cough up enough money suggests he wasn't in a position to make a serious bid. We don't know the details, but the common approach when someone wants something but hasn't got enough money is to ask for
Do you believe Cascarino has raised a valid point here, or do you think Ashley's at fault once again here?
