Newcastle United takeover & transfer news: Amanda Staveley faces sexist jibes in Barclays court case plus Poch 'close' rumours return

Amanda Staveley, whose PCP Capital Partners have been fronting the bid to buy the Magpies with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and the Reuben Brothers, is embroiled in a bitter court battle with Barclays, which has been playing out in the court room for the last month. Staveley is claiming £1.6billion in damages after claiming Barclays agreed to provide an unsecured £2 billion loan to Qatari investors, but the loan was "concealed" from the market, shareholders and PCP.

And transcripts of conversations between Barclays bosses – Richard Boath and Rodger Jenkins – have been revealed as part of the case.

In conversations in 2012, Boath said: “Yes. Now, that dolly-bird that represents – is it – what’s her name?”

Jenkins replied: “Amanda Staveley.”

Jenkins also said: “Well I’m – you know, I’m going to call the tart; I was going to call the tart.”

Boath asked: “Who’s the tart?”

Jenkins replied: “Amanda.”

Meanwhile, it has again been claimed Mauricio Pochettino is ‘close’ to agreeing a deal with Newcastle United, should the Saudi Arabian £300m deal get the Premier League green light.

According to Mundo Deportivo, the former Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton boss remains very much in the frame to replace Steve Bruce, when Mike Ashley’s time at the club comes to a close.

Pochettino has been linked with a Spurs return, after Jose Mourinho’s London Stadium struggles, and was recently reported to have knocked back advances from Benfica.