New request from Mike Ashley is ridiculous

No surprise here, folks. It is being reported that Mike Ashley is holding up the sale of the club because of one absurd request.

Multiple media outlets are reporting that the current owner of Newcastle United, Mike Ashley, is delaying the sale of the club because of an absurd request he is making to prospective buyers. According to these new reports, Ashley wants all of the Sports Direct advertisements in and around St. James’ Park to stay put after he leaves.

Just when Ashley already created some tension by leaving England for a holiday vacation while takeover talks are in progress, the business tycoon just had to make things even more complicated.

Why, Mike, Why?

It seems as though Ashley has not learned anything from the Toon Army since becoming the owner of this grand, but starving club. Ashley knows that he is unwanted on Tyneside and his company, Sports Direct, is the last thing people in Newcastle want to see when they attend matches after his departure.

It seems as though Greedy Mike ignored all of the protests that were held in front of his stores by Newcastle supporters from Newcastle all the way down to London. Moreover, his tunnel vision for Sports Direct and nominal interest in Newcastle United is what led to the Parliamentary Petition that was presented against him four months ago.

Ashley has responded to this petition generally stating that he is a good owner who has heavily invested in Newcastle United over the years. Talk about being delusional, huh. The fact of the matter is that the Toon Army and Rafa Benitez want Ashley out, and that includes his Sports Direct advertisements, too.

Takeover and Transfer Dilemma

Newcastle are already dealing with enough problems as is. The Magpies are currently in a relegation battle and they are far away from securing survival at this stage in the season. Benitez needs some financial support to bring in quality players who can help avoid relegation this season, but the Spaniard still does not know what his budget will be.

Everyone on Tyneside, especially Benitez, were hoping that a takeover deal would happen before January, but with Ashley leaving for the holidays that is looking highly unlikely. This new request from Ashley, though, is absolutely ridiculous and is forcing serious buyers like Peter Kenyon to think twice about going forward with the deal.