Mike Ashley must lower his asking price for Newcastle United if he is to actually sell the club, according to Chronicle journalist Mark Douglas.
The Magpies were heavily linked with a buyout over the summer, but reported interest from the Dubai-based Bin Zayed Group eventually fizzled out.
And Douglas has outlined what Ashley must do to ensure that the debacle isn’t repeated.
Writing in a piece for the Chronicle, he said: “To sell, Ashley must lower his price and change his tactics. If he doesn’t, Newcastle fans will treat claims he’s a willing sale with derision.
“And unless Ashley decides to change his approach – or he becomes more desperate due to other circumstances – it’s going to rely on a very motivated buyer to change the current landscape at St James’ Park.”
OPINION
It’s one thing for Douglas to say that this is what Ashley has to do, but it’s another entirely for him to actually do it. That £350 million asking price that has become an albatross around the neck of the Toon Army doesn’t look like shifting any time soon, and as far as Ashley changing his negotiating style goes, you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. At this stage, it seems that the only way the Magpies will get out of this bind is if they find a buyer who has the money straight up, and who can simply spend Ashley out of town. That’s a lot easier said than done, of course, but at the moment, it’s about the best hope the Toon Army have. Until then, they are lumbered with a disastrous owner, and if past form is anything to go by, he could be here for a while to come yet.
