Mike Ashley has met with US businessman Henry Mauriss - according to reports across the Atlantic tonight.
The chief executive officer of media group ClearTV has been linked with a move for the Magpies in recent months but emerged on the scene when discussions with Amanda Staveley, the Reuben brothers and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund were at an advanced stage.
Bloomberg are now reporting that Mauriss has also reached out to public relations advisors to promote him in the UK.
Chronicle Live understands that Ashley is receptive to a sale to Mauriss if the proposal from the Middle East consortium is not approved by the Premier League.
When the initial meetings took place are unclear at this stage but Mauriss is said to be waiting in the wings if United aren't sold to Staveley and co.
We reported back on June 5 that Mauriss had been asked to produce a 5% deposit to show he was a serious bidder.
Now, Mauriss is expected to wait to see the outcome of the Premier League's owner's and director's test but the final stages of the deal have been played out amid an awkward silence from top-flight chiefs.
Mauriss has been linked with a £350million move for Newcastle and submitted papers to Companies House earlier this year to state his desire to do business in the UK.
With just two weeks to go until the transfer window reopens for summer business, Ashley is thought to want clarity on the takeover.
