Norton
Striker
This was my first thought.A lot of this actually seems textbook Mike Ashley. They have a manager on big money who’s looking for guarantees on transfers (read: money to spend) out of contract at the end of the month, so suddenly there’s a bunch of stories about potential takeovers and being linked with Jose Mourinho which will get the Mags all excited. But before they know it, Benitez’s contract will have run down and he’ll have left, the takeover will be off, and one of Ashley’s “Cockney Mafia” mates will be at the proverbial wheel.
A bit like "NUFC to bid 100M for Harry Kane" 3 weeks before season ticket renewals are due. Only for the transfer to fall through.