Newcastle United owner Ashley, who owns an 8.92 per cent stake in the club, is seeking to cement his boardroom influence by providing the crisis-hit club with emergency cash.
But Sale Sharks chief Kennedy has returned to the scene two years after failing to rescue the club from liquidation with the Blue Knights by offering a counter loan offer.
Rangers are set to run out of money by the end of the year but in return for providing a crisis loan, Ashley wants to be able to pick his replacements for Nash and chief executive Graham Wallace.