'I've heard it's happening today' Ex-Newcastle United star makes explosive takeover claim

Speaking on the Football Matters show on Monday evening, Bernard said: “I’ve heard it’s happening tomorrow [Tuesday]. I hope it is. I’ve had enough of it! Hopefully it will be official.”

Pressed on how confident he was, Bernard added: “I’m 80%. It’s from a good source that it’s going to happen tomorrow [Tuesday].”

Financier Amanda Staveley, backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and the billionaire property investors David and Simon Reuben, agreed a £300million deal for the club and lodged it with the Premier League last month.

Staveley and her backers are still waiting on approval amid objections over piracy and Saudi Arabia’s human rights record.

Importantly, the Government’s neutral position on the deal has not changed, despite calls for parliamentary scrutiny over the issue of TV piracy in Saudi Arabia.