Chris Waddle says he can see both sides of the argument between Newcastle United fans and Mike Ashley.
The takeover of the Magpies continues to drag on, leaving many fans facing up to the prospect of Ashley's controversial ownership of the club continuing for some time yet.
Magpies legend Waddle says he can completely understand why fans are unhappy with Ashley's ownership of the club.
Yet, speaking to BBC Radio Five Live, he also argued that any deal to sell needs to be right for Ashley, too.
He said: "It's been going on for years and years.
"It's going to have to be the right deal that suits Mike Ashley.
"You can't blame him, he's run this club very well.
"All right, he hasn't spent fortunes and that's why they're a mid-table team.
"He knows he can't compete with the big guys.
"People think Newcastle should be up there because of the massive support they've got, the stadium is fantastic and the training ground is wonderful.
"They've got everything ready to be a top-four challenger but, if you're going into the money, Mike Ashley won't put in that type of money and I don't think he's got that type of money to compete with the likes of Man City.
"He's made sure the club is a Premier League outfit but obviously fans get frustrated because they want to be challenging, winning things and having a go at things.
"It's not been happening and they want more than just being a Premier League club.
"This is the fourth year running that there's been a deal on the table supposedly and it hasn't happened.
"From Mike Ashley's point of view if you're going to be making good money in profit, why would you want to sell it?
"The Premier League is the biggest league in the world, with the most money, so unless it's an unbelievable offer, why does he want to sell?
"You can understand that point of view.
"The other side is that fans get very, very frustrated as they think they should be challenging for the top four.
"He has to put up with the criticism, he has so far.
"Whoever does buy the club, if they ever do, and that's a big if, then there'll be no debt."
