Newcastle United’s would-be buyers are awaiting contact from the Premier League before proceeding to the final steps of the long-running takeover saga at St James’ Park.
Despite fresh suggestions that the consortium, led by Amanda Staveley, which also contains the Reuben brothers and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, is threatened by a piracy row with BeIN sports, it is understood there have been no red flags in the top-flight’s owner’s and director’s test so far.
The situation was still firmly in the hands of the Premier League at the close of play on Friday ahead of another weekend of lockdown.
There’s no doubt that the restrictions - which require video meetings to discuss even the smallest detail - have played a part in slowing the conclusion of the takeover down.
However, there is patience from the would-be owners too as the reality is the process may not have reached this stage had Mike Ashley not been prepared to take a lower offer for the club he bought in 2007.
Despite multiple reports of approaches for new managers, with Mauricio Pochettino and Rafa Benitez linked as replacements for Steve Bruce, the prospective owners have not entered any talks for a new boss yet.
By the same token Bruce has not been contacted by either Ashley or the Staveley-led group to discuss plans for the future.
Exclusivity on the deal is still in play from the Middle East group, but with the Premier League edging towards the outcome of the owner’s and director’s test, the final action of the takeover is the transfer of funds from the bidders to Ashley’s account.
There is interest from American tycoon Henry Mauriss but the California-based takeover candidate has arrived at the party late in the day.
And it would take a major collapse from the Saudi Arabia-backed proposal for the TV boss to stand a chance.
Both United and the Premier League have refused to comment on the record about the takeover.
