Newcastle United's sale is "inevitable" and will happen sooner rather than later, according to Jermaine Jenas.
The BT Sport pundit said he felt Steve Bruce should be part of the future at the club whatever happens but admitted that progress going forward would be slow under Mike Ashley - if it happens at all.
Speaking about the club's ownership, Jenas told host Jake Humphrey that he believed a sale was around the corner.
"There is some instability in the football club. He's been trying to sell it for years and there is some feeling that they need to remain in the league to get the best price," he told BT Sport.
"When that moment (the sale) does happen - and it inevitably will do soon - then that process will be a lot quicker in terms of the club moving forward."
Fellow pundit Joe Cole said the spectre of the takeover was casting a shadow over the amount of work Bruce can do to put his own stamp on the side.
"Steve Bruce knows at any minute the club could be sold and new owners generally want their own man," according to Joe Cole.
"All the decisions he's making in terms of signings and the way they play will have a bearing on that so they do need stability one way or another."
