Mike Ashley is reportedly ready to sell Newcastle United if the consortium fronted by Amanda Staveley stumps up the money to seal the deal.
Rumours about the Toon owner being prepared to sell up have been a constant on Tyneside for years but fresh reports this week claimed a deal had moved closer and that paperwork from both sides had been submitted.
But the Daily Mail report that the consortium will only become 'interested' once instructed by the seller that a deal has been reached and the takeover process can begin.
They add that sources within Sports Direct have told them that Ashley is increasingly keen to do a deal and ‘wants done with it’ sooner rather than later.