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:
33. April 13th, 2021 - Letter to club store staff
Mike Ashley-owned Frasers Group point the finger of blame at Newcastle United’s potential owners-in-waiting as justification for axing their St James’s Park shop – but the mention of an “anticipated” change of ownership highlights confidence remains in the £300m+ sale, which remains locked in legal red tape. Photo: Michael Regan
34. April 15th, 2021 - Report claims Saudi Prince contacted Boris Johnson
The ongoing saga of the Newcastle United takeover takes a dramatic twist with reports that Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman urged Boris Johnson to intervene in the takeover in 2020. The Daily Mail said the Prime Minister asked one of his top aides to investigate after Saudi Crown Prince warned a row over the sale of the Premier League club could damage relations between the two countries. Photo: Dan Kitwood
35. May 6th, 2021 - Mike Ashley launches CAT legal case
Newcastle United and Mike Ashley launch a fresh legal challenge against the Premier League with an anti-competition case the new line of attack - Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT). Daniel Jowell QC of Brick Court Chambers leads the case, which was presented to them by Newcastle Consortium Supporters Limited. Photo: ANDREW BOYERS
36. May 18th, 2021 - EPL granted extension to respond to CAT case
The Premier League are granted an extension to respond to Newcastle United's (St James' Holdings Ltd) Competition Appeals Tribunal case. EPL requested 28-day extension on May 11, so have until 5pm, June 11. According to the CAT Judgement Papers, the EPL arbitration will be heard "on an expedited basis in July 2021." Photo: Alex Morton