Social media becomes new Newcastle United takeover battleground – and Saudi buyers-in-waiting are getting fan message 'loud and clear'

And the message from within the consortium is to keep up the pressure.

The Gazette has learned the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia has employed an outside body to monitor social media, with the #NUFC and #NUFCTakeover Twitter spheres particularly prominent in their analysis.

As a result the fan push for transparency from the Premier League, following the PIF, PCP Capital Partners and Reuben Brothers pull out of the deal eight days ago, is being heard loud and clear by the buyers.

A fan petition calling for an independent review of the owners and directors test delays, cited as a reason for the deal collapse, has broken through the 90,000 barrier and hopes are the magic 100,000 can be reached this evening with the Newcastle United Supporters Trust open meeting set to reach fans worldwide.

While triggering 100k signatures does not have any significance in terms of a possible governmental review, it would send a strong message, coupled with political pressure from North East MPs, who have sent letters to government figures and Premier League CEO Richard Masters asking for answers.

Intriguingly, one of the deal fixers rumoured to have made the Saudi investment happen - Carla DiBello - shared the petition link on Twitter to her near 70,000 followers, which is another indication the fan movement and pressure is being closely monitored by the powers that be.

PCP Capital Partners and the Reuben Brothers are also understood to be keeping a keen eye on developments as a 'pressure from all angles' approach continues with transparency and answers from the Premier League the aim.

It is understood that despite last week's formal statement, all three parties remain very much at the table - and hope that an answer from the Premier League will either give them the yes they believe they have done enough to satisfy, or a no and can trigger a challenge, first via the league's formal appeal process.

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