Richard Keys believes that the proposed Newcastle United takeover will fall through – because people are beginning to understand the ‘enormity of the scenario surrounding it’.

A Saudi Arabian-backed group involving Amanda Staveley and the Reuben Brothers are closing in on a £300million deal to buy the club, with the takeover agreement currently going through Premier League checks.

But with a number of groups voicing their displeasure at the deal, Keys believes that the deal may not come to fruition.

Indeed, the Bein Sports pundit – who has regularly been critical of Newcastle United and its fanbase in recent years – says he can feel the ‘momentum growing’ when it comes to those opposing the deal.

Amanda Staveley is leading the Newcastle United takeover | Getty Images

placeholder image — Amanda Staveley is leading the Newcastle United takeover | Getty Images

Speaking to the Keys & Gray show, he said: “I come back to what I have said all the way along the line, that proposed takeover - and it remains that - is under discussion.

“I think that there are people beginning to understand the enormity of the scenario surrounding it, and I think there's momentum growing whereby people are asking the sort of questions that we have posed on this programme before now."

The buying side remain confident of completing a deal, with the Premier League checks continuing to progress.

A timescale of four weeks is usually given for this process to be completed, but this could naturally be delayed given the current climate.

A deposit has already been paid to Mike Ashley.