Supporters of Newcastle United have been airing their reactions to a report on the Toon’s owner Mike Ashley.
According to the Sunday Times, as cited by Chronicle Live, the businessman is going on a ‘multi-million pound High Street spending spree‘ whilst continuing legal efforts to see a Saudi Arabian-backed consortium take over United.
Supposedly, Ashley has made an ‘eleventh-hour‘ bid to save Debenhams from closure and he is also plotting a £900m bid for the Trafford Centre – a Manchester shopping centre.
This was relayed to Twitter by Mark Douglas, who also stated: ‘If you ever doubted why he wants #nufctakeover to happen…’
Following the Twitter post from the journalist, lots of Toon fans flocked to it to air their responses.
So, what did these Newcastle fans have to say about the report on Mike Ashley?
Mike Ashley is going on High Street spending spree – bidding for Debenhams and the Trafford Centre.
If you ever doubted why he wants #nufctakeover to happen… https://t.co/1dX8xXWpzo
— Mark Douglas (@MsiDouglas) December 6, 2020
That’s our transfer budget gone. Loan deals more likely now. Surprised Bruce hasn’t looked at the free transfer for players
— Matty Duggan (@mattyduggan) December 6, 2020
Mike Ashley wants to buy the Trafford Centre for 900M but it’s cheap loans from ligue 2 for us this January. #NUFC https://t.co/YBwvamwHhd
— Dell ? (@agbnufc_) December 6, 2020
It is claimed in the Sunday Times’ report that Ashley’s bid for Debenhams would value the chain at £200m and could save as many as 19,000 jobs.
Is you opinion of Mike Ashley positive or negative?
Negative, he just needs to leave
Positive, he does a good job
Tbh now, if he can save 19000 jobs in this uncertain world then good luck to him.
— Kevin (@kevba1971) December 6, 2020
If you think Ashley needs the money from Newcastle sale your clueless . He would like it but certainly doesn’t need it .
— john brown (@johnbro96635840) December 6, 2020
The report from Chronicle Live suggests that any money which Ashley can bank from the eventual sale of the Toon will be used to ‘tighten his grip on the High Street‘.
Supposedly, that is where the businessman’s interest lies rater than with the Toon as they ‘tick along in the background‘.
£370m will come in very handy.
— Barry J Ingham (@BarryJIngham1) December 6, 2020
Don’t see a connection personally. He can get it all back with next round of TV money whilst claiming every last penny goes into club! #nufc
— Mark Tserkezie (@MTserkezie) December 6, 2020
Pressurising the government to get direct involvement in the takeover with this I would assume.
— Delboy E (@dedwards1892) December 6, 2020
As can be seen in these responses from Toon fans, there were lots of mixed reactions regarding the report on Mike Ashley.