It’s been almost 18 months since PCP Partners, the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia and the Reuben brothers agreed to buy the Magpies for £300million before the Premier League (EPL) refused to approve the deal.
Mike Ashley has battled to resurrect the deal and has launched two legal challenges against the EPL – arbitration and an anti-competition case. The latter will soon be heard by the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT), to determine if the case can go further.
But this takeover saga started well before the Saudi-bid when Ashley again put the club up for sale in October 2017.
From the first beginnings to the very latest – scroll and click through the pages to see our takeover timeline:
9. Sunday, June 30 - Rafa, the end
Mike Ashley has blamed the Bin Zayed Group for Rafa Benitez’s departure at Newcastle United, according to the Mirror. They claim Ashley ended contract talks with Benitez following discussions with would-be buyer Sheikh Khaled. Benitez’s contract comes to an end. Photo: Alex Broadway
10. Monday, July 8 - Obscure statement time!
The Bin Zayed Group have issued a fresh statement on their efforts to takeover Newcastle – this time, bizarrely, through Redding. It read: "Both parties have worked diligently in finalising a deal, none more so than ourselves." Photo: -
11. Saturday, July 20 - Concerns about BZG funding
Claims from the financial publications and the City that the Bin Zayed Group’s bid will be linked in to US hedge funds. This is denied privately by sources close to the bid. Photo: Chris Hondros
12. Friday, July 26 - THAT Ashley interview
Mike Ashley speaks to Mail about his Newcastle ownership. Claims he is a willing seller. On BZG he said: "The last bid, the one from UAE, he's a prince and he's got £38bn or £100bn, all these numbers — well, why would you even care what you're paying then? What difference would £10m either way make?" Photo: Jordan Mansfield