Journalist makes new Saudi takeover prediction - Mike Ashley up to his old tricks again?

The Telegraph's Luke Edwards has made some concerning claims about Mike Ashley's takeover tactics after a slow start to the summer transfer window at Newcastle United.

Edwards - a self-confessed friend of Steve Bruce's - believes that the NUFC owner is using the ongoing legal battle as an excuse to avoid spending, feeling he's 'doing absolutely nothing' while he waits for this never-ending saga to pan out.

He also feels there's 'no way' new owners will be in place by before the start of the 2021/22 season or close of the transfer window, insisting that they will have to resubmit their bid, have it accepted and then restart the owners and director's test IF Mike Ashey does win his legal case against the Premier League.

Here's what he's had to say today in response to the club's complete lack of activity so far this summer:

A cynical view of it all, however I do believe Ashley will see this as a bit of a win-win.

Win the legal battle and he's made £100m profit on NUFC and can finally move on. On the flip side, fail to do so in a month or two's time and he'll have been handed the perfect reason not to spend in the transfer market.

June is always a quiet month, but the fact we've offered zero updates on our retained list, proposed new kit supplier or accounts speaks volumes.

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