More than a week on from the dramatic decision to withdraw their takeover bid and the consortium attempting to buy Newcastle continue to dominate the black and white agenda.
Monday saw confirmation that the Football Ombudsman has written to the Premier League advising them to release a statement or make some form of public comment on the aborted takeover.
But it also brought reports that Mike Ashley is in continued dialogue with the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) and wants the deal to be completed.
Sky Sports News reported that sources close to Ashley confirmed Newcastle's statement of a fortnight ago that he is "committed" to this deal.
Contracts were signed more than four months ago agreeing the deal, only for the deal to become stalled in the Owners and Directors tests.
A new report claimed: "Newcastle owner Ashley is understood to be personally trying to resolve the situation and is 100 per cent committed to finding a way to get the takeover back on."
It's understood that while PIF walked away - and they insist it is no tactic to force the issue, just a genuine disenchantment with the process - they could return if there was a way to satisfy the requirements of the Premier League reasonably.
Pressure has been applied to the league with more than 40 MPs having written to the authorities. A petition calling for an independent enquiry into the deal has been signed by more than 100,000 fans but the Premier League continue to flat bat requests for communication.
Ashley's commitment to the deal - while US interest in the club continues - has given supporters further hope that this long-running saga may not yet have seen its last chapter.
.jpg?w=600)
