Newcastle United supporters must be among the most patient in the Premier League.

News broke earlier this year that a deal was imminent for a Saudi-backed consortium to buy the club from Mike Ashley.

The current owner is a less-than popular figure at St James’ Park and so fans have been waiting with bated breath to see him sell the club.

Unfortunately that is taking longer than many thought.

The £300m offer from Amanda Staveley’s consortium is being scrutinised by the Premier League as they assess the suitability of the prospective owners.

That process usually takes a matter of days or weeks, but in this case things have rumbled on for much longer.

Several factors are contributing to the reason why a decision is yet to be made from the Premier League, but one thing we know is that patience on Tyneside is thin.

Supporters are growing sceptical over the deal, and with the end of the season in sight it feels like a decision needs to be made.

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Contracts and transfer plans are just two things that have largely been put on hold while the takeover goes through, meaning that it’s key for a decision to be made to stop the club falling behind their competitors next term.

One man who has been at the heart of reporting on the takeover is Chronicle Live’s Lee Ryder, who has demanded that a decision needs to be made.

Speaking on the latest episode of Everything Is Black And White, he said: “I mean the takeover limbo that you’re talking of, that can only be really decided by the Premier League.

“They’ve got to process this decision now, one way or the other.”

GIVEMESPORT'S Phil Spencer says...

Being honest, I can’t believe that this is still going on.

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The owners’ and directors’ test is usually something of a formality when a takeover is going through in the UK, so the fact that this has taken upwards of four months is quite unbelievable.

I understand that there’s various big factors at play such as the piracy that involves beIN Sport, but surely a decision must be close to being made.

If there’s that much doubt over a deal, I’d be inclined to suggest that perhaps the prospective buyers aren’t suitable – as if they were a decision would be made.

If that was the case, fans would be hugely frustrated, but I’m sure that’s a preferred option than having a group take over the club who aren’t going to be running it in the fans’ best interests.

A decision needs to be made, let’s just hope that it happens soon.