A report has claimed that the new offer by Amanda Staveley's PCP Capital Partners for the proposed takeover of Newcastle United still contains a relegation compensation clause.
Staveley's investment group has emerged as the only serious bidder for the Magpies since owner Mike Ashley officially put the club up for sale on October 16.
The two parties held face-to-face talks at a London curry house last week and an increased offer of £300m is believed to have been made by Staveley.
However, Sky Sports News claims that the relegation clause has not been withdrawn from the offer, and Ashley is not happy about its inclusion.
The clause would potentially see Ashley having to compensate the successful bidders if Newcastle ended up being relegated at the end of the campaign.
Staveley, meanwhile, is reportedly adamant that she and her backers should not pay the full £300m if the Tyneside outfit were to slip back into the Championship.
Newcastle have not won a Premier League fixture since October 21 and are now 16th in the table, just three points above bottom side Swansea City.