Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley is facing new heat over his attempts to sell the club.

The Daily Mail says Ashley is in Dubai with chairman Derek Llambias, executive director Dennis Wise and head of recruitment Tony Jimenez, in an effort to secure a buyer.

But attempts to double his money with an asking price of £481million have been rejected. Yesterday there were allegations that Ashley snubbed a meeting with a Dubai consortium and caused offence by drinking in public during Ramadan.

A photograph of Ashley allegedly drinking cocktails appeared on the Arabian Business website, with the claim that he had opted to head for the bar rather than a meeting with potential buyers.

Associates of Ashley deny this but it was reported that the billionaire businessman refused to go to the meeting when he discovered they were prepared to offer only £200m. Ashley had asked for more than double that in documents handed to representatives of Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al- Maktoum.

One City source criticised Ashley and said: "What he's reported to be doing in the Middle East sounds like Loony Tunes to me - sheer lunacy. It's all unbelievable. Had it not been for Ashley, a deal could have been done by now.

"Plus, that starting price was ridiculous. They just won't do business in Dubai with such an inflated price. It was simply a plain stupid move and who knows what this guy will do next."