Simon Jordan has a theory about why Newcastle United missed out on Leicester City’ Hamza Choudhury and, speaking to talkSPORT (2 September, 10am), he believes Steve Bruce has now been left in an ‘untenable’ position.
For a footballing institution the size of Newcastle United, failing to secure the services of a man who cannot buy a game for a Premier League rival is a reflection of how far this proud old club have fallen during the Mike Ashley era.
According to The Times, the under-fire Bruce was desperate to bring in Choudhury on deadline day.
But Leicester wanted a £1 million loan fee and Newcastle allegedly had no intention of paying a seven-figure sum for a player who would be on his way back to the King Power ten months later.
Choudhury’s £60,000-a-week wages were also reported to be a problem.
Former Crystal Palace owner Jordan, however, has a different take on things.
After speaking to sources with knowledge of the Choudhury saga, Jordan insists that the figures involves were far less than what has been reported in the media.
“There wasn’t a loan fee, the wages weren’t £60,000-a-week. It was even less than that. It was a lot less than that,” Jordan says.
Did Mike Ashley block Newcastle’s Hamza Choudhury deal?
Jordan believes that, with Mike Ashley looking to sell up and move on, the much-maligned Newcastle owner is refusing to splash out on new signings.
“You’re moving into a territory where Mike Ashley… I don’t think he wants to put a penny into Newcastle. He wants Newcastle to be entirely self-sufficient,” Jordan adds.
“Since the pandemic, Newcastle haven’t turned a profit. Steve has moved from a difficult position to an almost untenable one.
“You’ve got to back your manager. Defensively and midfield-wise, they’re lightweight. They haven’t got the legs, they got ripped apart by West Ham and got overran by Southampton in the second half.
“If you’re a manager who wants a player, a good player, and you can get him for comparatively lightweight Premier League wages, what are you saying to the manager and the fans (if you don’t get him)?”
