Newcastle United are on the verge of becoming one of the world’s richest football clubs.
PCP Capital Partners are poised to become the club’s new owners, ending Mike Ashley’s controversial 13-year tenure in the process.
The Saudi-backed consortium, led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, are understood to have assets worth more than £260 billion.
PCP Capital Partners will pay £300 million to take control of the Magpies and, according to the Mirror, are ready to make a ‘series of three-yearly injections’ into the club to transform them into Champions League challengers.
The report adds that £200 million will immediately be made available to strengthen the squad and to improve other aspects of the club.
Which manager gets to spend the £200 million in question, however, is currently unclear.
While reports have suggested the club’s new owners will stick with Steve Bruce for the time being, the Telegraph revealed this week that the 59-year-old Englishman fears for his future at St James’ Park.
He does not expect to be part of PCP Capital Partners’ longer-term plans.
And new information via ESPN would seem to suggest that Bruce is right to be worried.
Sources have told ESPN that the owners want a more high-profile name for next season - and that they have four leading contenders on their wish-list.
They are…
Mauricio Pochettino
Still unemployed after being sacked by Tottenham in November.
Massimiliano Allegri
Out of work since leaving Juventus last summer.
Rafael Benitez
Newcastle’s former manager - much loved by the club’s fans - who currently manages Dalian Yifang FC.
Lucien Favre
The current head coach of Borussia Dortmund.
The report adds, however, that Pochettino is the owners’ number one target as things stand.
It would certainly be a huge coup for the Magpies if they were able to secure the services of one of the most respected coaches in world football.
ESPN have also revealed that the owners are intent on recruiting several big-name players and are working with agents in Europe to land stars out of contract this summer.
Edinson Cavani
A striker is their main target and Edinson Cavani, who unsuccessfully attempted to leave Paris Saint-Germain for Atletico Madrid in January, is among their top transfer targets.
The 33-year-old possesses bags of experience and has scored goals consistently throughout his illustrious career.
Dries Mertens
Napoli forward Dries Mertens, 32, is also a player that Newcastle’s prospective new owners are considering signing.
The Belgium international has scored 121 goals in 309 games for Napoli since 2013.
Willian
And Chelsea winger Willian is the third player on their summer wish-list.
The Brazilian is out of contract at Stamford Bridge this summer and could be lured to the north-east of England by Newcastle’s new owners.
One thing’s for sure: we can expect plenty of changes at St James’ Park over the coming months.