“Hide & Seek”: Simon Jordan shares why Newcastle can spend £400m thanks to Mike Ashley

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Simon Jordan has been speaking on talkSPORT about Newcastle, Mike Ashley and Financial Fair Play after a £59m deal for Alexander Isak was agreed with Real Sociedad.

What’s the story?

Well, the arrival of the Sweden international takes Newcastle’s spending for 2022 up to £200m.

As a result, some people have began to ask where the spending will stop in regards to FFP regulations.

According to Jordan – who previously owned Crystal Palace – it doesn’t need to stop anytime soon.

Speaking to Jim White on talkSPORT, the 54-year-old said: “Newcastle are playing Hide and Seek with themselves. They are not carrying huge losses, they will not be constrained by Financial Fair Play. They are going to spend money.

“Whatever they think of Ashley – and it isn’t very much – the financial viability of Newcastle was never in any jeopardy and the balance sheet was always quite strong. They can easily go and spend £300m or £400m.”

Ironically, Mike Ashley seems to have done Newcastle a favour with his stinginess.

If Jordan is right – there is every reason to believe he is, given his background of owning a Premier League football club – it means Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi could spend millions over the next week.

Newcastle are still attempting to sign Joao Pedro from Watford, despite many assuming the deal had been abandoned following the bid for Isak.

There is also strong interest in Conor Gallagher – however, it remains to be seen if Chelsea will allow him to leave Stamford Bridge.

Mike Ashley was ideal for Newcastle ahead of Saudi Arabian takeover

Of all the people Newcastle could’ve had in charge ahead of a multi-million pound Saudi Arabian takeover, Ashley was ironically one of the best.

Of course, had his reluctance to spend carried on even longer, many more fans would’ve been alienated, and St James’ Park probably would’ve been empty on most matchdays due to protests.

However, Staveley and Ghodoussi arrived just at the right time, and can now benefit from effectively having a financial blank slate to play with in the market, thanks to Ashley.

Now, if the Magpies can get one or two more deals over the line following the signing of Isak, Ashley could ironically end up playing a significant role in what may be Newcastle’s best season for many years.