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:
25. March 30, 2020: NUFC fans wake to news 'takeover is a step closer'
It was claimed that the Premier League has been “made aware” of a £340million bid financed by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia and backed by financier Amanda Staveley and the Reuben Brothers, who have property investments in Newcastle. Newcastle and the Premier League have made no comment on the news, which was greeted by scepticism on a locked-down Tyneside. And the Gazette understands that embattled owner Mike Ashley and senior officials are “bemused” by the latest report, which has come amid a worldwide lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. Photo: Shaun Botterill
26. March 31, 2020 - PIF group 'pushing' for lower price
Takeover talk continues to dominate the agenda on Tyneside with fresh reports Newcastle United could exchange hands for £300m, with the consortium keen to take over pushing for a lower price. It has also emerged that Yasir Al-Rumayyan, chairman of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia, registered a new company with Companies House earlier this year. Photo: Getty
27. April 14, 2020: New documents lodged by Amanda Staveley’s PCP Capital Partners
A new takeover document has been lodged at Companies House by Amanda Staveley’s PCP Capital Partners. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, backed by Staveley, has been in talks over a takeover of Newcastle United. And the document submitted by PCP, which is a £150million loan agreement with Mike Ashley’s St James Holdings, suggest that takeover talks, which have been going on for months, are progressing. Photo: Shaun Botterill
28. April 16th, 2020 - PCP Partners agree deal
Amanda Staveley’s PCP Partners agree a £300m deal to purchase the club from Mike Ashley. The Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia will take an 80% stake, with the Reuben brothers and Staveley taking up 10% each. It is now up to the Premier League to approve the takeover - which would make the Magpies one of the richest clubs in world football. Photo: PA