Alan Shearer trolls Newcastle owner Mike Ashley's House of Fraser purchase

It’s been another summer of pain for Newcastle fans as Mike Ashley’s transfer dispute with manager Rafa Benitez rolled on.

The Spanish manager was forced to operate on a ‘sell-to-buy’ transfer policy as owner Ashley deliberately withheld funds and refuses to invest in upgrading training facilities at St James’ Park.

The dispute even went to the House of Commons as Newcastle MP Chi Onwurah delivered a petition calling on Ashley to “investment in players, training facilities and community engagement”.

READ MORE: Mike Ashley defends his Newcastle investment in open letter

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This summer Benitez was only allowed to spend £23m in bringing in seven players, while raising £43m in player sales.

However, despite the Magpies’ transfer woes Ashley did manage to find the equivalent of a few quid at the back of the couch to buy fashion chain House of Fraser for £90m. In cash.

It prompted Newcastle great and BBC pundit Alan Shearer to quip, “Which position will he play?”

Remarkably their record signing is still the £16m they paid for Michael Owen way back in 2005.

Newcastle kick off their 2018-19 Premier League campaign against Tottenham Hotspur in Saturday’s lunchtime kick off.