Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley has no 'emotional attachment' to the takeover bid backed by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund.
That is according to football finance expert Kieran Maguire, who believes the Magpies' owner will simply sell to somebody who 'matches his asking price'.
It comes amid increasing talk of US billionaire James Pallotta's interest in Newcastle United.
Chronicle Live understands Pallotta's interest in Newcastle United is genuine but there is little prospect of any movement on that future for the timebeing.
The former Roma boss has had an interest in United for a long time but while he has sourced opinion on a buyout, as well as completing preliminary due diligence, the billionaire is not currently in the frame while Ashley pursues legal routes surrounding the PCP Capital Partners and PIF bid.
Sources close to that consortium told Chronicle Live they were continuing to await the outcome of arbitration and the Pallotta talk was best ignored.
However, Maguire believes Ashley's attitude towards a sale could well still open the door for Pallotta down the line.
“Mike Ashley will sell to somebody who matches his asking price,” Maguire told Football Insider.
“I don’t think he’s got an emotional attachment to PIF. Unless there is some sort of exclusivity clause, I don’t see any problem in that area. The legal fees are a spent cost, it’s already gone.
“Remember, if Newcastle do get relegated then that decreases the value of the club. The last time they were in the Championship, they made losses of £90m.
“They sold off a load of players to halve that but even so, it was very expensive getting back up to the Premier League for him. So the legal costs relative to that are a pittance.”
