Mike Ashley stays silent as Newcastle United takeover edges closer to completion

The club’s owner has made no public comment since a group led by financier Amanda Staveley agreed a £300million takeover – despite a clamour for information on Tyneside.

It has been suggested that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which is buying 80% of the club, does not want any formal communication before the Premier League approves the proposed deal, which has been criticised by Anmesty International and beIN Sports.

Ashley – who is understood to be in the USA – is giving little away, even to close associates, about the deal, which was finalised amid the unprecedented suspension of football due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The billionaire, tellingly, has dismissed previous takeover attempts.

Managing director Lee Charnley, expected to stay on for a handover period if the deal is passed, is also waiting for news along with head coach Steve Bruce, who is said to “fear” for his future at St James’s Park if the club changes hands.

Bruce’s own attempts to find out information from Ashley have reportedly been met with silence amid speculation over a return for Rafa Benitez, who left last summer after his contract expired.

Newcastle were 13th in the Premier League – and eight games above the relegation zone – when football was suspended last month. There are nine games left to play.