Newcastle United takeover set for go-ahead

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

The buying side were hopeful of the takeover being given approval a week ago, and an announcement was planned, but the process, amid objections from beIN Sports and Amnesty International, has taken another week.

This has led to unease on Tyneside. However, there’s optimism on the buying side that the takeover will finally be approved next week, when the club’s players could start returning to the training ground ahead of a proposed summer restart for the Premier League, which was suspended in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Head coach Steve Bruce will remain in charge, for now, should Staveley’s consortium take over United, though a managerial change is anticipated in time for next season.

Mauricio Pochettino, relieved of his duties by Tottenham Hotspur late last year, is a leading contender for the job along with former manager Rafa Benitez, who is under contract at Dalian Yifang.

Pochettino is still on Tottenham’s payroll, but can be recruited without compensation being payable this summer.

Meanwhile, Newcastle’s medical team are preparing for all eventualities as the Premier League finalises its plans for a behind-closed-doors restart.

The club’s players, told to stay at home in March, will most likely initially return in small groups. United will play their remaining nine games at neutral venues if the league is restarted.