Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley remains in the dark over the intentions of potential buyer Harry Mauriss.
The Evening Chronicle says Mauriss is believed to have left Ashley baffled after running up a legal bill of over £500,000.
Negotiations between the Clear TV CEO and Ashley's lawyers were ongoing over the summer but the Toon owner is mystified by the snail-paced nature of the talks since Amanda Staveley's Middle East consortium withdrew from discussions after revealing their frustration with the Premier League.
Last week top-flight supremo Richard Masters insisted that the deal had not been rejected and could be swiftly resurrected if the relevant information was provided by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.
Meanwhile, with Ashley not taking the Bellagraph Nova Group too seriously - with no advance on their £280million offer - Mauriss should have a free shot at United but the American has made little or no progress since the collapse of PIF's bid.
