Revealed: The major hurdle that Amanda Staveley and PIF still have to navigate ahead of £300m Newcastle United Saudi takeover

Led by broker Amanda Staveley and backed by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund and the Reuben Brothers, the group look set to take complete control of the Magpies in the coming weeks.

Reports emerging on Tuesday – off the back of a significant filing at Companies House – confirmed that an agreement is close.

But once a deal is struck, the club's new shareholders will still have to navigate one major hurdle - the Premier League owners and directors test, otherwise known as the fit and proper persons test.

We take a look at what the test involves, the rules that govern takeovers in the Premier League and how long the process could take:

WHAT IS THE PREMIER LEAGUE OWNERS AND DIRECTORS TEST?

The test is an assessment of the individual, or group, looking to take on the running of the football club.

It is designed to assess whether the potential owners can run the club in a suitable manner and that they have the required funds in order to do so.

Anyone who is a registered director of the club is subject to the test, with clubs having to provide an up-to-date list at the end of each season to ensure criteria is continually being met.

WHO HAS TO UNDERGO THE PREMIER LEAGUE OWNERS AND DIRECTORS TEST?

The Premier League state that any “directors and individuals exercising ‘control’ over a Club, as well as any shareholder with a 30% stake in a Club (or greater)” have to undergo the test.

That means that the Saudi Arabian group will certainly have to undergo the test, as too will Staveley – given she is likely to be a key figure in running the club on a day-to-day basis.

WHAT INFORMATION IS SUBMITTED AS PART OF THE PREMIER LEAGUE OWNERS AND DIRECTORS TEST?

Potential owners have to submit a variety of information to the Premier League, with the league able to request any details they feel are necessary to ascertain whether they are able to take control of a club.

As well as the agreement to purchase the club, potential owners will have to submit financial records and prove they do not have any criminal convictions.

They may be also asked about their involvement in any other football club, should that become apparent.

HOW LONG DOES THE PREMIER LEAGUE OWNERS AND DIRECTORS TEST TAKE TO COMPLETE?

When a club intends to appoint a new director, or complete a takeover, they must inform the Premier League at least ten working days before the director is anticipated to be appointed.

The test can take anywhere up to four weeks to complete, although usually takes closer to a fortnight.

It’s worth bearing in mind that, given the situation the country currently finds it in, it is understood that this process could be somewhat lengthened – but there are still expected to be no major setbacks.

WHAT COULD LEAD TO A TAKEOVER BEING BLOCKED?

The Premier League will disqualify potential directors - and in effect block a takeover - if any of these below applies to the individual:

- They failed to provide all relevant information (including, without limitation, information relating to any other individual who would qualify as a Director but has not been disclosed

- They provided false, misleading or inaccurate information

- They either directly or indirectly he is involved in or has any power to determine or influence the management or administration of another Club or Football League club

- They either directly or indirectly he holds or acquires any Significant Interest in a Club while he either directly or indirectly holds any interest in any class of Shares of another Club

- They become prohibited by law from being a director

- They have a Conviction (which is not a Spent Conviction) imposed by a court of the United Kingdom or a competent court of foreign jurisdiction

- They become the subject of an Interim Bankruptcy Restriction Order, a Bankruptcy Restriction Order or a Bankruptcy Order

- They have or have been a Director of a Club which, while he has been a Director of it, has suffered two or more unconnected Events of Insolvency in respect of each of which a deduction of points was imposed

- They are an Intermediary and/or is registered as an intermediary or agent pursuant to the regulations of any national member association of FIFA.

A full list of disqualification criteria is laid out in the Premier League regulations, and there is an appeals process available against disqualification.

It is not expected that any of the parties involved in this takeover of Newcastle United will face any difficulties.

Indeed, these tests are usually fairly routine.