This is why Newcastle United fans could be left disappointed as takeover talks drag on

However, the club already has a head coach – Steve Bruce – and, more importantly, it hasn’t yet been sold.

First things first. The question is less whether former Juventus manager Allegri, reportedly courted by the club’s would-be buyers, will one day succeed Bruce at St James’s Park and more whether a sale is at all possible in the middle of a pandemic, tackling which is the priority for everyone.

Crucially, a deal has not yet been agreed between owner Mike Ashley – who has delegated takeover talks to close associate Justin Barnes – and the Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).

Ashley, we know, isn’t minded to significantly drop his asking price, thought to be upwards of £300million, despite pressures elsewhere in his business empire due to a lockdown which has seen non-essential shops closed.

Yet the Premier League – which is looking to strike an agreement with the Professional Footballers’ Association over a 30% pay cut for players during its suspension – could be left with a TV broadcast liability of around £750million if this season can’t be completed due to the coronavirus.

Against that backdrop it’s hard to imagine a deal being struck any time soon. The club may be as close as it’s ever been to being sold under Ashley, but that’s nothing saying much.

Why would PIF, backed by financier Amanda Staveley and the Reuben Brothers, buy the club for £300million or more until there’s some certainty about this season’s conclusion and the financial cost of the shutdown?

There are too many unanswered questions.

Paperwork has been supplied to the Premier League – that isn’t in dispute – but, without an agreement, the move doesn’t mean much in itself.

And it seems Ashley – who has been criticised for the decision to use a Government scheme to furlough club staff on 80% of their wages – will stay sceptical about Staveley and PIF until there’s money on the table.

Fans are hopeful that Ashley’s time as owner, finally, is coming to an end – and talks are ongoing – but this could all take months to play out.