Mark Jenson is the co-founder of The Mag, now the leading independent website on all things Newcastle United. He speaks out about what it is like to support a team owned by the retail giant.

The prospective new owners - a consortium backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund - are on the cusp of tying up a £300m that would rocket the club to the top of the financial charts.

The versatile left back had impressed for Rennes this season before the coronavirus pandemic halted play, helping guide his side to third in Ligue 1 with 10 matches remaining.

Newcastle United's Saudi Arabian takeover, led by Amanda Staveley, will face renewed scrutiny this week from the Premier League after further complaints from human rights activists.

With protesting voices growing louder over the potential sale of Newcastle United to a Saudi-backed consortium, question marks have appeared over whether the deal will go through or not.

Newcastle United are reportedly prepared to make Mauricio Pochettino one of the best-paid managers in the world, should the impending takeover go through.

Assuming the takeover goes through, Newcastle's spending power would be transformed with former Tottenham manager Pochettino seen as the man to deliver a potential title challenge.

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.

Antonio Conte began life as Inter manager in style, romping to a 4-0 win thanks to goals from Marcelo Brozovic, Antonio Candreva and debut strikes from Stefano Sensi and Romelu Lukaku.

Romelu Lukaku was 'bored' at Manchester United and needed to leave for his own happiness, according to his international boss Roberto Martinez. 

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

Troy Parrott is keeping his fingers crossed that he did enough on his Republic of Ireland debut to be involved in Monday night's Euro 2020 showdown with Denmark.

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.

Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, 44, began displaying mild flu-like symptoms, including a low fever, on Wednesday night. She is currently self-isolating at her Ottawa home as she awaits test results.

The 26-year-old singer and his 23-year-old wife documented themselves watching the 2008 Batman film Dark Knight on their Instagram Story on Thursday.

The 57-year-old actress said the widespread focus on self-isolation as authorities around the world try to slow the spread of the illness meant she was unable to fly to her dad's memorial.

SHENG XUE: There is a virus stalking the world. It is a nasty organism that leaves death, destruction and misery in its wake. It began in China, but don't be fooled, it did not start last year in Wuhan.

She shared clips to her Instagram Story showing what was going on outside the mansion where she and Justin are holed up.

Michael Davy said he bought a male Electus Parrot from fellow Salt Spring Island resident Akhtar Kidwai last year for $2,100, but a month later the bird was diagnoses with a terminal virus.

She's currently in Canada with husband Justin Bieber amid the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Rumors had begun to spread across social media over the past 48 hours that Shi Zhengli had escaped from China, and brought hundreds of confidential documents to the U.S. embassy in Paris.

The Prime Minister said the world needed to come together 'against our common enemy' as he boasted of the UK's £744 million commitment to a global response war chest.

Canada's Vasek Pospisil has hit back at Nick Kyrgios for opposing the proposal to merge the men's ATP and women's WTA tennis tours, saying the Australian did not have enough information.

Record cold temperatures are headed for the North East this weekend, triggered by the dismal combination of a weak polar vortex and an unusually cold air mass coming in from Canada.

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire (pictured) says AFL players across the country have gone into isolation with the code declaring Round 1 will be played in empty stadiums. 

Scott Eagar was devastated after his beloved GWS Giants number plates were stolen from his car in Kogarah in Sydney's south on Friday.

The North Melbourne Kangaroos coach Rhyce Shaw sent Daw home on Thursday morning, but said he's unsure if he will be tested for the killer coronavirus.

The images taken at Leichhardt Oval in Sydney on Saturday saw just 25 cheeky fans watch the Sea Eagles take home the win against the Roosters.

The Australian Football League's attempt to carry on with the Aussie Rules season despite the coronavirus outbreak lasted just one round. However some other sport is continuing.

Beauty salons were ordered to close their doors on Wednesday after Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced tough new measures in a bid to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Collingwood President Eddie McGuire unleashed on Channel Nine reporter Tony Jones when pressed about refunds for cash-strapped members amid the coronavirus pandemic.

McGuire lost his cool with Channel Nine sports journalist Tony Jones on Wednesday night when he was grilled about whether cash-strapped AFL club members would be offered refunds.

Geoff Hibberd, 33, and his friend Jason De Silva, 20, set off in a three-metre-long boat from the Flinders ramp in Victoria's Western Port Bay early on Sunday morning, and they haven't been seen since.

Jimmy Bartel and his girlfriend Lauren Mand have been hunkering down together amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Jason De Silva, 20, and Geoff Hibberd, 33, set out on a three-metre tinny from the Flinders boat ramp Victoria's Western Port Bay some time before 6am on Sunday and have not been seen since.

A source tells Daily Mail Australia that former AFL player-turned-influencer Daniel Gorringe, 27, is one of the housemates on the upcoming season

Olympia Valance marked her first anniversary with her AFL star boyfriend Thomas Bellchambers on Tuesday.

She is known for her slender figure and love of fashion.

Ben Cousins' long-time lawyer told the Armadale Magistrate's Court in Perth his 41-year-old client has once again resorted to using methamphetamine because that's the way he 'deals with life's stresses'.

The AFL are considering a lockdown hub for players to restart the season, where players are separated from their families in a secluded location.

It was one of the most controversial moments in the history of The AFL Footy Show. 

Mr Laidley was photographed wearing a long blonde wig and a dress after his arrest outside a home in St Kilda on Saturday night - but the photos were soon leaked.

Victoria Police's Professional Standards Command said on Tuesday another officer had been stood down and is expected to be charged after the photos emerged of Laidley in custody.

Sixteen players from the Adelaide Crows team were allegedly spotted training with footballs on Thursday morning at Tanunda Pines Golf Club in the Barossa Valley in South Australia.

Two more senior police officers suspended for allegedly leaking photos of AFL coach Dean Laidley, 53, dressed as a woman during an interview at St Kilda police station in Melbourne.

Dua Lipa enjoyed a break from her hectic schedule as she packed on the PDA with beau Anwar Hadid on a stroll in New York City on Friday.

Gabrielle Union tweeted about taking an Uber back home on New Year's Eve before hosting her own party, but her Uber driver had to make an extended stop at her bathroom to relieve himself.

Uber driver Latonya Young, 43, enrolled at Georgia State University in 2010 but had to quit classes due to a $693 hold on her account. She graduated last month due to Kevin Esch's donation.

Brooklyn Beckham has a new girlfriend. The son of Victoria and David Beckham stepped out with model Nicola Peltz in Beverly Hills on Wednesday afternoon to do some shopping.