Former Premier League chief makes SHOCK admission about Mike Ashley – and Newcastle United fans will not believe it

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - MAY 24: Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and West Ham United at St James' Park on May 24, 2015 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley is NOT a difficult man to do business with, despite Tyneside takeover rumours to the contrary.

That’s the view of former Crystal Palace chief Simon Jordan.

Speaking on TalkSPORT the pundit claims rumours Sports Direct tycoon Ashley is a ‘difficult seller’ are just not true, when it comes to commercial deals.

“Despite protestations, Ashley isn’t that difficult to deal with,” said Jordan.

“You can’t have your way with him, though. I know Newcastle fans will go up in arms, lynch him, burn him, Mike Ashley is the devil in incarnate, he’s Keyser Söze, but commercially he isn’t that brutal to deal with.”

Reports with regards the proposed Joe DaGrosa and Peter Kenyon takeover suggested Ashley was keen to retain advertising in St James’s Park for set period, as well as a host of other deal caveats.