Amanda Staveley is closing in on a deal to buy Newcastle United from Mike Ashley for around £300million - but fears over relegation are the final sticking point.
Financier Staveley and PCP Capital Partners are hopeful of reaching an agreement with Ashley and a deal could be inked as soon as next week.
However, we can reveal that the team’s fortunes on the pitch are holding up the process and Staveley does not want to pay the full price should they drop back in to the Championship. Similarly, Ashley is reluctant to accept a package with a significant relegation clause.