That brought Mort out into the open to insist: "We won't be paying a lot of money for one massive star just to please the fans".
But it is billionaire owner Mike Ashley that Kevin Keegan wants to deal with, and KK was in a mood for jokes after Sunday's Tyne-Wear derby win.
Keegan: "He (Mike Ashley) said there is £250million to spend in the transfer window. I think that's what he said.
"Or he may have said, 'I am going out on the town tonight'. I think it was the second.
"No, I am just joking. He is pleased and I am pleased for him.
"Terry McDermott just turned to me with five minutes to go when they were singing and he said, 'It's like the old days, Gaffer'."