Mike Ashley could face a 'big decision' after Henry Mauriss entered the race to buy Newcastle United, according to Chronicle Live's Lee Ryder.

The chief executive of ClearTV is said to have held talks with owner Mike Ashley in recent weeks and is now said to have put together a formal bid.

The report states that the bid is worth £350 million, though the current regime are yet to comment.

The existing offer of £300million that was made by Amanda Staveley's Saudi-backed consortium, The Public Investment Fund, is currently with the Premier League who are carrying out a series of tests before approving a deal.

That decision is expected to be made imminently, and according to Ryder, all eyes are now on the Premier League as a final decision on the Newcastle United takeover moves closer.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ryder said of Henry Mauriss: “Waiting in the wings is the term that’s being bandied about.

“There’s a lot of sceptical remarks out there about this and I can completely understand that because the Amanda Staveley and PIF bid has been there, it’s clear, the Premier League haven’t denied for one minute that they’re going through the owners and directors test.

“That remains the case and is in its latter stages, so that’s worth keeping in mind with all of this.

“But as it stands, that still might not happen – we don’t know.

“The Premier League still have to make a decision.

“It’s one of those things where Maurice has been waiting in the wings and seeing how things go with the Staveley bid.

“Whether the last 24 hours with the WTO report has deemed it as an opportunity to step in, only he can answer that.

“Over at St James’ Park they’re just cracking on with life pre-lockdown.

“They working on contracts and targets for next season, so there’s still lots of questions out there.

“If the deal does go through then I think that’s what a lot of fans want.

“If it doesn’t, then is Henry Mauriss going to step in and show his hand. People close to him are saying that his proposal is on the table now so it’s up to the Premier League.

“If something doesn’t happen in terms of the Middle East consortium then Mike Ashley has another big decision to make."

GIVEMESPORT'S Phil Spencer says...

The takeover of Newcastle United is a hugely complicated situation.

Following the WTO's report on the Saudi government's role in the illegal streaming of sports events, things are cleared up slightly.

That report will be used as a key document in the Premier League's assessment of the Saudi-based consortium's suitability to take over the running of the football club.

This is why the whole thing is taking so long.

Now, with Henry Mauriss seemingly entering the race to purchase the club, it appears to have muddied the waters once again.

All eyes are now on the Premier League who will decide what the future of the club is.