OPINION
There are many names which Mike Ashley has been called by the Newcastle United faithful during his tenure as the Magpies’ owner – most of which are not suitable to be repeated in public.
One which definitely deserves to stick is ‘penny pincher’ – for that is exactly what the Sports Direct supremo is.
It is not necessarily an insult, although most Newcastle fans will be tearing their hair out at the lack of financial support he has given the club and most notably Rafael Benitez, but an apt description of a man who has done everything he can to eek out every penny possible from every venture he has pursued.
Making a loss is vary rarely an option for Ashley, whether that be in business or in football – which is why many might find it a shock to see he is willing to take a hit on selling one of Newcastle’s players.
The reputable Football Insider claim that the Magpies are willing to let Achraf Lazaar, the 17-cap Moroccan international who has been exiled for so long at St James’ Park, leave for less than the £3million he arrived for.
That sort of number is already peanuts for a player with experience on the international stage as well as in England and Italy’s top flight, so to see him depart for £2million – the price tag reported on the 27-year-old’s head – means that Ashley must be desperate for the cash.
Currently on loan at Sheffield Wednesday, it remains to be seen how many, if any, suitors come along for him this summer but accepting such a small fee surely demonstrates that Ashley is ready to do the rarest of things for him and cut his losses.
The Toon Army will be wishing it was the club itself he was willing to accept a cut price for.