That gets me thinking, OM. The accounts run over a different period to the transfer window this year. Any purchases before end of June reduce profit, thus the tax bill, any sales before increase the profit and tax bill. The only problem is timing of cash in and out but if Ashley was prepared to put a little bit more in for a short period, then the budget could be huge.
The other thing is after last year's accounts. Staveley's offer turns out to have been very generous at the time, even though the club is worth more now. If Ashley wants £400m, he has to loosen the purse strings to get the assets on the field.