A huge £200million will be handed to Newcastle boss Steve Bruce by the club's prospective new owners as part of an ambitious plan to return the Geordie club to Champions League contenders.

EXCLUSIVE BY CRAIG HOPE: Mike Ashley was hours away from confirming the £300million sale of Newcastle United last week only for the Saudi owners in-waiting to insist on a delay.

English football's biggest overseas broadcast partner beIN Sports have reportedly urged the Premier League to block Newcastle's proposed takeover from the Saudi Arabian-led consortium.

The Premier League are understood to be going through the owners and directors test to put their seal of approval on the deal, but it may not be a straightforward case given the protests.

Amnesty's UK director Kate Allen wrote a letter saying there were serious questions to address but Masters insisted 'due process' would take place.

The UK government have been urged by its own members to take an active role in scrutinising the Saudi-led takeover of Newcastle United following calls for the deal to be blocked.

Al-Rumayyan was headhunted n to run Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, which is worth around $330bn and has been funding the nation's push to host a growing array of sporting events.

The Magpies are close to finalising a £300million takeover by a Saudi Arabian consortium which is backed by the country's public investment fund.

The Premier League club are nearing a change of ownership after a £300million bid by a Saudi Arabia-lead consortium was accepted by controversial owner Mike Ashley.

Faustino Asprilla has backed Steve Bruce to stay on as Newcastle United boss after the club is taken over by a Saudi consortium, despite links to high profile managers. 

Keegan is adored by Newcastle fans having made 78 appearances for the club while enjoying two separate spells as manager, having nearly guided them to Premier League gold in the 1990s.

It appears that current owner Mike Ashley is edging forever closer to selling the club to a bid led by Amanda Staveley which is backed by the wealth of the Saudi Public Investment Fund.

The Premier League asked the United States government to keep Saudi Arabia on its piracy watch list before beginning checks on Newcastle United's Saudi-led takeover.

It is the news Newcastle fans have been dreaming about for years - a big-money takeover and the possible departure of Mike Ashley. But how does a deal actually happen? Our expert reveals all.

EXCLUSIVE BY CRAIG HOPE: Andy Carroll has beaten the mystery injury that was threatening to end his season - but is now sweating on the resumption of Premier League football.

First-team players are expected to return to training next week, providing Government's formal review and Premier League shareholders' meeting agree to finish the current campaign.

TOP SPIN AT THE TEST: Ben Stokes became the sixth England player to appear on the Lord’s honours boards both for scoring a century and now taking five or more wickets in an innings.

TOP SPIN SPECIAL: England’s Ashes hopes are long gone, but here Sportsmail looks at five final Ashes Tests which were ‘dead rubbers’ but had ramifications beyond the result of the game.

TOP SPIN AT THE TEST: England’s win here means Pakistan still haven’t won a series in this country since 1996. But this was their third draw out of five in that time, including a thrilling 2-2 in 2016.

LAWRENCE BOOTH AT OLD TRAFFORD: Jos Buttler inspired England to a series whitewash after posting an unbeaten century in the final ODI against Australia on Sunday.

England's first Test with India is on a knife-edge heading into day four at Edgbaston. Here, Sportsmail's LAWRENCE BOOTH takes a look at the major talking points from the day's play.

CRAIG HOPE IN COPENHAGEN: Christian Eriksen will find himself a marked man against Republic of Ireland on Friday night after angering his opponents last year.

The Liverpool left-back was in the side which were brushed aside 4-0 by the Red Devils in a friendly at Hampden Park in September last year.

STEPHEN McGOWAN AT THE KING BAUDOUIN STADIUM: As manager of Scotland Steve Clarke can't wave his arms and turn water into wine. Coaching is his thing, not miracles.

Romelu Lukaku last night apologised to former manager Steve Clarke after putting Scotland to the sword in Brussels. The Manchester United superstar struck twice in a 3-0 win.

Romelu Lukaku netted a brace against Scotland on Tuesday night but he came under-fire on social media for failing to score from close range.

Belgium have increased their lead at the top of the latest FIFA world rankings while Portugal have surged into the top five after winning the Nations League last week. 

The striker's immediate future at Old Trafford is one of uncertainty with United understood to be open to selling him. Inter Milan have expressed an interest but United want to recoup £75m on him.

According to The Sun , Magpies owner Mike Ashley is determined to land a manager with experience in the Premier League and Martinez fits that mould.

Manchester United held formal discussions with Inter Milan over the 26-year-old Belgium striker in London on Thursday, although it's understood that no formal offer has been made.

Belgium's players relaxed between Euro 2020 qualifiers by completing an ambitious heading routine in a swimming pool. The squad are currently unbeaten after five games in Group I.

STEPHEN MCGOWAN AT HAMPDEN PARK: Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans made headlines by comparing a game against Scotland to playing San Marino. 

Romelu Lukaku has insisted he feels no pressure to score his 50th goal for Belgium after moving one goal from the milestone following his strike in a 4-0 Euro 2020 qualifying win at Scotland.

Anderlecht starlet Yari Verschaeren is attracting strong interest from Premier League Southampton after making his senior Belgium debut at the age of just 18.

The winger joined Real Madrid in a £150million deal from Chelsea in the summer but has failed to meet expectations. He arrived in Madrid carrying extra weight and has struggled to shift it.

Romelu Lukaku scored his 50th international goal as Belgium thrashed San Marino on Thursday and became the first side through to the Euro 2020 finals.

KAZAKHSTAN 0-2 BELGIUM: Michy Batshuayi and Thomas Meunier scored as Belgium beat Kazakhstan 2-0 away in their latest Euro 2020 qualifier.

Russia have confirmed they will play their upcoming Euro 2020 Group I qualification matches in their old kit as their new strip inverts the country's flag.

Mick McCarthy says he is happier knowing Ireland have to beat Denmark on Monday to qualify for Euro 2020 - and he is considering using Spurs teenager Troy Parrott in the high-profile match.

RUSSIA 1-4 BELGIUM: Eden Hazard scored a brace as Belgium beat Russia 4-1 away to ensure they will finish top of Euro 2020 qualifying Group I.

If there is an edge to the game, then it comes from recent unflattering comments by the Danes about the Irish style of play. Now the manager intends to use those words as a motivational tool.

Michy Batshuayi has been poking fun at Dedryck Boyata after the defender accidentally wore his No 23 shirt for Belgium in their Euro 2020 qualifying victory over Russia. 

BELGIUM 6-1 CYPRUS The away side took a shock lead in the 14th minute through Ioannou before Crystal Palace striker hit back moments later from close range.

Belgium have been charged by UEFA for the gaffe that saw Dedryck Boyata wearing Michy Batshuayi's shirt during their Euro 2020 qualifying victory over Russia. 

Euro 2020 begins on June 12 and teams are frantically searching for opponents to play in the weeks leading up to the tournament but France are finding it particularly difficult.

Roberto Martinez took over the reins with Belgium back in 2016 and led them to a third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup after losing the semi-final to eventual winners France.

Piers Morgan hit out at Prince Harry's comments in leaked telephone recordings that emerged last night from Russian hoaxers who contacted the Duke of Sussex at his luxury Canada hideaway.

In her role as Commodore-in-Chief of the Canadian navy, Princess Anne will Visit HMCS Regina, at sea, boarding in Vancouver and travelling to Esquimalt on Vancouver Island on May 1.

The Beatles: Get Back, a in depth look at the fraught recording sessions for 1970 release Let It Be, will premiere in the United States and Canada on September 4th.

MLS have announced that they have suspended their league season for the next 30 days due to the coronavirus outbreak - delaying David Beckham's first home game as Inter Miami owner.