Newcastle United should be a red-hot prospect for anyone wanting to buy a football club.
A vast and loyal fanbase, a giant stadium, a high-profile manager and the best start to a Premier League season in years — the future looks bright.
But Mike Ashley’s announcement that he is open to offers and will accept staggered payments — essentially like buying a club in instalments — smacks of desperation.
If you’re keen on negotiations to sell a multi-million-pound business, surely you want to start in a position of strength, not make it sound like you will do anything to be rid of it.