After seeing the club relegated under his ownership and drip money left and right, Newcastle Owner Mike Ashley has taken the extraordinary step of putting a freeze on player movement until the once proud club finds a buyer.

Via Guardian 

“There will be no players coming or going until the takeover has been completed,” said a senior Newcastle source. “There will not be a firesale and it is up to the new owners and manager to decide who comes and who goes.

“The transfer market does not really get going until August and Newcastle will not be doing any business until a buyer has been found. It is all on hold.”

Alex Black, the agent of Alan Smith, who is coveted by Blackburn Rovers, has already experienced this policy in action. “Newcastle United have put a sort of embargo on players moving in or out of the club until the situation is resolved in terms of ownership,” explained Black. “So what can you do until that is sorted out? It is in Newcastle’s hands.”

Up to seven senior players are threatening to challenge this embargo by sumbitting written transfer requests early next week if Alan Shearer has not been installed as Newcastle’s manager.

Shearer remains “completely in the dark” about events at St James’ Park and is deeply concerned that Newcastle are missing out on opportunities to both offload players unsuited to the rigours of the Championship and recruit those possessing the pace and toughness required during the impending campaign.