You can only imagine how frustrated the Newcastle United fans are.

It's been more than three months since the prospect of a £300million deal to purchase the club was officially revealed.

Since then, supporters have been waiting with bated breath.

Amanda Staveley is the main figure in the Saudi-backed consortium who are hoping to purchase the club, but the acquisition has proved to be anything other than straight forward.

The Premier League are currently running the rule of the investors to see that they match the requirements of a club owner in the Premier League, but issues such as piracy and human rights violations are only the start of the uncertainty over their credibility.

Meanwhile supporters continue to be at the end of their tether with current owner Mike Ashley, and will do just about anything to get rid of the Sports Direct mogul.

But while the Premier League tackle the various areas for concern in this big-money deal, Mark Douglas of Chronicle Live believes that it's the piracy issue that will 'make or break' the deal.

Writing in a Q&A with Chronicle Live, Douglas said: "It remains *the* big issue.

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"I think the Jamal Khassogi issue, the human rights sanctions - they're not really part of what will make or break this deal.

"Piracy is the thing that matters and as of yet, there doesn't seem to be a satisfactory conclusion on it.

"But it's encouraging that they are continuing to talk/go back and forth as I think it implies there's a mutual interest in the deal."

GIVEMESPORT'S Phil Spencer says...

You've got to feel sorry for the Newcastle United supporters.

The club is the heart and soul of the community on Tyneside and fans just want an answer - and rightly so.

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Mike Ashley is a universally unpopular figure in the North East and so it's no surprise that so many are keen to see the back of him.

However with plenty of controversy surrounding the potential investors, there's plenty to consider.

It's the right thing for the Premier League to do as they do a thorough examination of the key figures in the Saudi-based consortium, but surely a decision must be close.

If it's not, then I think it's key that the Premier League make their concerns public as transparency has to be key in this situation.

Otherwise I think supporters will continue to be hugely frustrated until a decision is made.