Newcastle United’s prospective takeover by a Saudi Arabian-backed consortium continues to trundle on as we’re now well into a fourth month of uncertainty.
There are merely two games left of the 2019/20 season and the Magpies have no idea who will be in charge of the club going into the summer and beyond that into next term.
Do you think the takeover will even happen?
Yes, of course
No, I'm worried now
Rumours had started to emerge on social media that the transferral of funds was happening but this is something that journalist George Caulkin has downplayed.
In response to one supporter on Twitter, The Athletic’s ever-reliable Toon correspondent said:
Still with the PL.
— George Caulkin (@GeorgeCaulkin) July 18, 2020
Caulkin claims that the decision really is still with the Premier League at the moment, meaning they are yet to come to a conclusion over their owners and directors test.
This has to be a concern considering the recent twists that have emerged in the previous seven days.
Saudi Arabia first banned beIN Sports from broadcasting in the country, a perplexing move considering there is now no legal way to watch PL football in a nation whose public investment fund is wanting to purchase one of their member clubs.
And then, reports emerged hinting that American businessman Henry Mauriss had ramped up his pursuit of landing the club in a £350m deal following a meeting with Mike Ashley.
Either way, the club needs answers soon as they can’t afford to head into the summer rudderless. There needs to be time for the new owners to implement their ideas and plans, and the longer this drags on, the less likely the Magpies will be in shape to compete and fully kickstart that new era.