Alan Shearer has piled the pressure on the Premier League by branding the delay in making a takeover call "unfair" on Newcastle United.
The Magpies ended the season with defeat to Liverpool but fans and staff have bigger things on their mind.
The Saudi-backed consortium that entered Owners and Directors' tests in April are still to discover whether their bid will pass, creating huge uncertainty at St James' Park.
And Shearer, speaking on Match of the Day, called for a resolution as he admitted to "doubts" about whether the deal will get the nod now.
Responding to Bruce's call for clarity, he said: "It's not fair on him, it's not fair on the football club, it's not fair on the fans. He doesn't know whether he's going to be shopping in Lidl or Harrods next season.
"So a decision needs to be made."
Newcastle's would-be owners have always spoken with confidence about the bid but Shearer sees the long delay as a sign that something is remiss.
"It has to be doubtful because it's take that long now. Whatever it is they need to make a decision and let the football club know what is happening," he said.
"They have got six weeks until the (next) season starts."
