Newcastle United's wannabe buyers from 2019 have insisted they are on course to complete the purchase of Derby County.
Following suggestions the deal was in doubt - and on the back of the Newcastle deal collapsing two summers ago - the Bin Zayed Group and the Rams have gone public to assure supporters the deal will go through before the festive period.
In a joint statement between the Sky Bet Championship strugglers and the Middle East Group, they said: "In order to remove any ongoing speculation, both parties want to assure Derby County’s supporters that the acquisition of the club by Derventio Holdings is on track, with a view to completion before Christmas.
"Both parties will now return to applying their full attention to the completion of the deal and will not be making any further comment."
It has emerged earlier in the day that an unpaid legal bill from the Bin Zayed Group, thought to be £500,000, had held up their purchase of Derby.
Newcastle owner Mike Ashley had watched the deal to sell to Bin Zayed collapse after the initial stages.
He said in summer 2019: "The last bid, the one from UAE, he's a prince and he's got £38bn or £100bn, all these numbers — well, why would you even care what you're paying then?
"What difference would £10m either way make? You would want speed, you would want certainty, you would want the keys and to get on with it.
"I will not stand in the way of Newcastle United. I will not stop that, if it happens."
