Newcastle United's takeover deal was set to be given the green light last September - according to another national newspaper report.
Indeed, according to the Daily Mail's Simon Walters, Saudia Arabia's PIF, Amanda Staveley and the Reuben brothers were expected to be told it was game on again last autumn, two months after they withdrew.
Much has been made about the government's involvement in the Toon takeover in the last 48 hours with PM Boris Johnson assigning Lord Lister to investigate why the Premier League had not sanctioned the deal.
The high profile reports have cranked up pressure on the Premier League ahead of their arbitration battle with Mike Ashley.
Ashley is understood to be pleased to see the subject gain national attention after it was reported that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman spoke to Mr Johnson and asked him to correct what he saw as a mistake by the top-flight.
Mr Johnson is understood to have asked: "Any news from Saudi?"
And the Daily Mail say a peer responded: "A call is being set up.
"The Newcastle deal will hopefully be signed this week."
The PM replied: "Brilliant."
Meanwhile, Theresa May's envoy to Saudi Arabia, Ken Costa is also quoted saying: "There was a long discussion to see what was going on with the Newcastle deal.
"It was an opportunity for serious investment in the North-East."
A Government spokesman stated yesterday: "While we welcome overseas investment, this was a commercial matter for the parties concerned and the Government was not involved at any point in the takeover talks on Newcastle United."
Neither Newcastle United or the Premier League would give anything on the record with a top-flight spokesman telling the Chronicle Live: "We won't be commenting on this."
