'For everybody that's the best thing' – Steve Bruce discusses Mike Ashley selling Newcastle United and the Saudi-led takeover

The Magpies’ head coach, speaking on TalkSPORT, has revealed his personal disappointment that the stalled Saudi-led buyout, which continues to rumble on through legal channels, did not get the Premier League green light.

And Bruce thinks a change of ownership is exactly what the club needs – as does Ashley himself.

"The takeover. We were all disappointed and no more so than Mike,” said Bruce.

"We were selling to the Saudi people that would generate the income of the likes of Man City so what supporter wouldn't like to see that?

"Until that happens I will do the best I possibly can for the club. It is no secret Mike wants to sell the club and for everybody that is the best thing."

The PCP Capital Partners-brokered £300m+ deal remains on the owner’s agenda with Ashley taking legal action against the Premier League over what is deemed by club legal representatives as anti-competitive behaviour.

This is a totally separate legal challenge to the arbitration hearing which will see Nick De Marco QC and Shaheed Fatima QC go toe-to-toe with PL chiefs over the application of their own owners’ and directors’ test.

The Premier League failed to come to a decision on the deal through their ODT in the spring and summer of 2020, before the consortium backed off from the deal in July last year.

Both legal challenges are being used by Ashley to finally force through the PCP, PIF and Reuben Brothers buyout.

A message from the Football Clubs Editor

Our aim is to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative Newcastle United coverage 365 days a year.

This depth of coverage costs, so to help us maintain the high-quality reporting that you are used to, please consider taking out a subscription; sign up here.

Your support is much appreciated. Richard Mennear, Football Clubs Editor