Newcastle United takeover & transfer news: Announcement 'imminent' and Mauricio Pochettino link

An announcement on the Newcastle United takeover is 'imminent’, according to a report.
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The £300million deal for the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, with Amanda Staveley’s PCP Capital Partners and Reuben Brothers, is in the hands of the Premier League, who are in the midst of their owners and directors test.

And despite suggestions the deal could take weeks, French ESPN writer Manu Lonjon – who was ahead of many in calling takeover developments earlier this month – believes the deal announcement is very close.

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On Twitter, he said: “Total agreement for the sale of Newcastle. Deal Done. Imminent announcement. As expected, the new president will be Yasir Al Rumayyan!”

Amanda Staveley.Amanda Staveley.
Amanda Staveley.

He continued: “#NUFC is a very exciting project. In a post-crisis Coronavirus market, arriving with an almost blank check to recruit, ambitious owners, it will be interesting ... but in England to make top 4, it is very very difficult. You have monsters in front.”

Lonjon also suggested a meeting of the key players will take place on Tuesday to discuss strategy, presumably via video link.

Meanwhile, former United favourite Warren Barton has suggested the Magpies should make a beeline for ex-Spurs and Southampton boss Mauricio Pochettino.

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Speaking to TalkSPORT 2, Barton said: “With all due respect to Steve (Bruce), and I’ve got a lot of respect for him, he’s not one of the top-level coaches around the world.

“He’s always done reasonably well in the Premier League and Championship, but if you want someone to take you to that next level, I think Pochettino would tick all the boxes.

“He’s ambitious, he’s great with young players, he understands the Premier League… and I think he’s got a chip on his shoulder now to come back and prove people wrong.

“I think he is ready-made for the club, and his hunger to be successful will go right the way through the club and the fans.”

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And Barton has hinted at who United’s first signing of the Saudi regime should be.

“Going forward [should] now looking at players like Willian who is up for a free transfer; they are the type of players that you need, to bed them in and mix experienced and younger players.”