Newcastle United fans are eagerly looking forward to the end of owner Mike Ashley’s 13-year tenure at Saint James’ Park, but the £300 million takeover by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund continues to drag on.
A £17 million deposit is already with the Premier League, with the remainder of the funds to be transferred to Ashley once the takeover gets the thumbs up.
The owners’ and directors’ test on the would-be Newcastle owners is taking more time than expected, and Sky Sports’ Keith Downie reckons it could take weeks and even months, with the coronavirus pandemic making it hard to work out when there will be a breakthrough.