Mike Ashley is set to close Newcastle United 's Sports Direct run retail store - with Rangers' kit supplier Castore to take it over as the club's new kit providers, according to a report.
Castore will replace Puma in a £5m contract said to be similar to their agreement with Rangers.
The Daily Mail claims a deal to return the superstore to the club is one of the conditions of the Saudi-led takeover which has been awaiting High Court arbitration since it initially failed in 2020.
Castore is run by brothers Tom and Phil Beahon and has high-profile backing in the form of tennis legend Andy Murray.
They took over Rangers kit duties from Danish company Hummel at the start of the season with the Ibrox club their first foray into elite level football wear.
All the staff at Toon Army club shop will be made redundant as part of the move with the new owners mentioned in a letter sent to employees explaining he decision to pull shutters up.
A consortium including Amanda Staveley and the Reuben brothers remain keen on completing a £300m deal with Ashley to seize control of Newcastle and are hopeful their arbitration against the Premier League will offer a path to ownership.
Should they achieve success in their legal campaign, it's suggested the conclusion of the megabucks deal with the retail magnate would quickly follow, ending his controversy laden 14 year spell of ownership.
