Mike Ashley will invest in the transfer market this summer despite the ongoing uncertainty of the Newcastle United takeover saga.
That's the view of pundit and former Scotland international Alan Hutton, who believes the Magpies owner has spent previously "when he's needed to".
Ashley has outlined he remains a willing seller to the Saudi-led consortium, even though the prospective buyers withdrew from the deal last week.
The United owner has no intention of removing the Magpies from the market and has also urged American businessman Henry Mauriss - who has previously expressed an interest - to make his move.
The protracted takeover saga has sent the transfer rumour mill into overdrive in recent months, with a host of names from across Europe linked with a switch to Tyneside.
However, the breakdown of the deal, Ashley's desire to still sell the club and the financial ramifications of the Covid-19 pandemic has led to questions over how much Newcastle will invest in the window.
Hutton believes it will still be a "difficult" transfer market for the club, even if the Saudi-led takeover was to be revived.
But if Ashley is to remain in charge for next season, the 35-year-old former defender reckons he would be willing to back head coach Steve Bruce in the window.
Asked if it was too late for prospective owners to implement their plans, Hutton told Football Insider : "I would say so. Even if the new people came in now, it’s still difficult.
“I know there’s a fair amount of time left in the transfer window but to come in, get yourself settled, understand what the manager wants to do in terms of moving forward and bringing players in, that’s difficult.
“To not even have new owners in, it’s going to be tough so I think this transfer window, I wouldn’t say over because I think Mike Ashley, when he’s needed to, he will put something into it.
“I think their plans are basically scuppered, I don’t think it’ll go the way they thought it would.”
