Might well pan out
Newcastle fans are concerned. The Middle East consortium’s bid has not been short of opposition in Richard Keys, BeIN Sports and Amnesty International.
All have sent letters to the Premier League to give views on why it should not happen.
However, the tests were based on clear criteria and no red flags are believed to have shown up so far.
THE TRANSFER OF FUNDS FROM THE MIDDLE EAST CONSORTIUM WHICH RUBBER-STAMPS NEW OWNERSHIP ABOVE THE DOOR
This is the big one as far as Mike Ashley is concerned. The Toon owner has kept silent with no on-the -record comments.
However, he has told people close to him that surely PiF can afford to buy the club given their vast global wealth and purchases on other projects.
If the button is hit on a cash transaction for around £300million it will be the end of the Ashley era.
AN ANNOUNCEMENT TO FANS AND THE MEDIA THAT
Depending on who you speak to this could come any day soon but there have already been a few false alarms.
Once it does get approval a joint statement would then be released and communication via the club’s website would then be pushed out.
Given current lockdown guidance in the UK a press conference is unconfirmed but journalists would be able to attend providing social distancing was in place at the club’s media suite.
It is widely expected Steve Bruce will keep his job as head coach for now and lead Newcastle until the end of the current season at least.
How long managing-director Lee Charnley remains in position remains to be seen.
However, PiF’s Yasir Al-Rumayyan is expected to have a significant role at the club.
Amanda Staveley and Jamie Reuben – currently a director at QPR – are also expected to have big roles.