The Times have delivered a fresh sting in the tail of Newcastle's takeover bid.

They published an article on Tuesday night where a lawyer's report urged the Premier League to block the Saudi takeover.

However, there was something much more prominent in the paper's piece, detailing some very specific information about Henry Mauriss.

In a surprise turn of events, it read: "Club sources on Wednesday morning were unaware a rival bid had been tendered of £350 million, compared with the £300 million that Amanda Staveley and the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) have agreed with Mike Ashley." 

This is rather remarkable given all of the headlines earlier this week.

The Daily Mail and the Chronicle were two of the first papers on the scene as they reported news that Mauriss had registered a £350m rival bid. Though, according to the Times, they are unsure whether this is correct information.

GIVEMESPORT'S Matt Dawson says...

This has been the definition of a saga.

For two months now Newcastle United supporters have been in the dark over whether the takeover will go through, but everything has been to no avail. 

Will the Saudi's actually be accepted? That's very much up to the Premier League, but it will hardly help Newcastle's cause that their plan B is up in the air now too.

The Times are one of the most reputable outlets around so it's rather surprising that their sources heard of no official bid from Mauriss. 

Is that because there hasn't actually been one? Various sources will probably say different things when it comes to that matter.

If PIF pass the Premier League's owners and directors test, then Mauriss' bid can be forgotten about. Though, for the time being, Newcastle must consider it - that's if the Times' sources are wrong.