Mike Ashley would not hesitate to sell Allan Saint-Maximin if reported interest in the Newcastle United maverick results in a £60m offer.
That is the view of pundit and former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan, who believes the departure of the fans' favourite would be the 'final nail in the coffin' for the Magpies.
Saint-Maximin has been one of the few positives in an otherwise dismal campaign so far on Tyneside.
The French forward has scored twice and produced three assists, and has yet again been linked with a move away from St James' Park.
Saint-Maximin agreed a six-year deal last October, but reports indicate Chelsea, Everton and Liverpool are all interested in the 24-year-old.
Whelan has labelled the forward as the Magpies' 'golden ticket' who possesses quality to match his work-rate.
However, the pundit believes Ashley will be happy to cash-in on the prized asset, and questioned how Steve Bruce's side would cope in the attacker's absence.
Whelan told Football Insider: “I think that would be the final nail in the coffin for fans, the manager and the team there.
“He is their match-winner, he is their golden ticket, isn’t he? There’s no doubt about that.
“He is the one that gets you off their seats. Every team has got one of these players and he certainly is.
“You can see the effort he puts in. He’s at 100 per cent but he’s got quality along with it. He can change the game in a second with the quality he has.
“There’s no doubt about it, people will be looking at him. They know the predicament Newcastle are in and the owner.
“If he gets a sniff of £60million, he’s going to take it. Ashley’s not there for the ride with the team, we know that.
“That would be heartbreaking for every Newcastle fan and the manager.”
