Mike Ashley does not know if Peter Kenyon has the funds to complete a takeover of Newcastle United, Sportsmail has been told.
Sources close to the Magpies owner say the former Manchester United and Chelsea chief executive has been 'rowing his own boat' and they are yet to see evidence of the financial support he would need to see through a deal of around £300million.
However, given Kenyon's standing within the game and knowing he has been working to secure investors in the US, he has been given access to the club's detailed accounts.