Newcastle United journalist Liam Kennedy insists that Mike Ashley is desperate to sell the club this summer.

The club are currently embroiled in a long-running court saga as they bid to allow the Saudi Arabia-backed Public Investment Fund to take control away from the Sports Direct owner.

Arbitration proceedings have been launched against the Premier League, after doubts were raised over whether or not the Saudi state were effectively bankrolling the entire operation.

Newcastle and the consortium have both argued that isn’t the case and, as such, the case has essentially been referred to the courts.

It remains to be seen how long it will take for a resolution but The Athletic reports that all parties remain committed to making the deal happen if it can be revived.

Ashley has owned the Magpies since 2007 and has faced fierce opposition at pretty much every turn from supporters, as the club have become mired in mid-table mediocrity and consistent relegation battles.

But Kennedy believes that fans can take one positive away from the entire saga: Ashley is desperate to get out.

He said: “I think one positive, I know a lot of Newcastle United fans out there won’t have a lot of positives about this process because it’s been draining, but I think the positive to take from it is that Mike Ashley does really, really, really want to sell this football club.”