NEWCASTLE MISS BONUS AS SALE FAILS
NEWCASTLE owner Mike Ashley spurned the chance of a staggering £20million January transfer pot when he turned down Barry Moat's offer to buy the club.
Ashley faced a gauntlet of hate at St James' Park yesterday following his hugely controversial decision to rename the stadium.
His camp has boldly claimed that any funds raised from the decision will help strengthen the team - yet Ashley's Sports Direct company will pay nothing for its eight- month association with the ground.
But crucially to Newcastle's fed- up fans, Moat's package included a £20m bonus that would have made any name-change unnecessary.
Instead, Ashley turned down the bid - £70m up front with £10m in six months' time - to retain power.
On top of that, North-East businessman Moat had secured another £10m to service the overdraft.
But Ashley knocked back a deal that was within a whisker of the £80m he wanted.
Toon sources now insist there will be no major transfer deals when the January window opens.
Ashley is now likely to stay on in the hope that the club can get promoted and its value increases.
In the meantime, the owners have refused to rule out a possible partnership with outside investors.
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