Newcastle's takeover is the definition of a saga.For over three months we've now been waiting for word from someone that Mike Ashley can leave the club.All throughout lockdown, we've had regular updates on when the takeover might happen and what exactly was holding the deal up. Yet, the delays have been constant and we are still no closer to a resolution.A week and a half ago the Premier League's chief Richard Masters revealed that a solution was on the verge of being discovered.However, like with everything in this affair, there have been more delays.Piracy has been the biggest one, but Saudi Arabia's human rights record is also wreaking havoc with the owners' and directors' test.There can be no doubting that PIF have the finances to run the club. The bid submitted, after all, was £300m. Though, there are doubts over political matters.
Everything has become rather farcical, leading the Toon Army to ask questions over whether the takeover is even valid.Are they being fobbed off again or are PIF genuinely interested in buying a stake in the club?One supporter posed that very question to the Athletic's George Caulkin on Friday morning.They were left rather baffled given how Ashley has run proceedings since he first stepped foot in St James' Park in 2017.Though, Caulkin had positive words, confirming that everything was indeed above board.
If you needed any kind of reassurance, feel free to breathe a huge sigh of relief.
GIVEMESPORT'S Matt Dawson says...
Positive news has followed the Newcastle takeover this week and it really does feel like we're on the final stretch.
Saudi Arabian MPs might be frustrated with the whole ordeal but they and the country's king have been involved in some big steps to try and push things through.
Late this week it was confirmed that new IP measures had been put in place, showing the Premier League they are indeed serious about resolving the piracy issues in the Middle-East.
beIN sports have been the subject of illegal broadcasting and a TV deal has been in the offing to try and fix things.
However, as far as British politicians go, they agreed to sell arms to KSA again, signalling an improvement in relations between the two territories.
Of course, a sense of perspective needs to be shown with that final agreement, but it shows that the House of Commons may not be as reluctant to let the Premier League and Newcastle do a deal with Saudi as first thought.
It'll be interesting to see where the saga progresses from here.