And if and when that is confirmed, Steve Bruce can begin to look ahead to the summer as he searches to bolster his squad to try and avoid another relegation battle next season.
Over the previous two summer transfer windows, Mike Ashley, by his standards, has spent reasonably big but due to the impact of Covid-19, and hopes of a takeover still lingering, Bruce could have limited funds to work with.
If that is the case, the Magpies head coach will be required to box clever and potentially explore the free agent market, just like he did last summer with the arrivals of Jeff Hendrick and Ryan Fraser.
We take a look at some of the top-flight players set to be out of contract at the end of the season – would you like to see any of these at St James’s Park?
If that is the case, the Magpies head coach will be required to box clever and potentially explore the free agent market, just like he did last summer with the arrivals of Jeff Hendrick and Ryan Fraser.