Ashley Wants Wenger As Manager!
But other sources close to the publicity-shy billionaire last night revealed that he is yet to be convinced that Allardyce can establish Newcastle as one of the biggest clubs on the planet.
Shepherd - still in hospital yesterday recovering from pneumonia and a collapsed lung - is widely thought to be ready to accept the offer of 100p per share which persuaded the Halls to sell Ashley their 41.6 per cent share of United.
Ashley has targeted former Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein as his next chairman. If Dein was to take charge of Newcastle, it would place a further question mark against the future of new United boss Sam Allardyce.
During his days at Bolton, Allardyce was fiercely critical of Dein's influence within football.
And that raises the distant but tantalising prospect of Arsene Wenger - who was dismayed by long-time ally Dein's exit from Arsenal - being targeted for the manager's job at St James's Park.
Allardyce could be approached (again) for the England job if England lose the vital European qualifier on Wednesday, as Steve McClaren's job is hanging by a thread.
And another hypothetical idea to put forward ... Wenger looks likely to lose striker Thierry Henry as speculation says Barcelona are ready to make another approach. If Henry goes ... would Wenger also leave Arsenal?
And another hypothetical idea to put forward ... Wenger looks likely to lose striker Thierry Henry as speculation says Barcelona are ready to make another approach. If Henry goes ... would Wenger also leave Arsenal?