Some old emails revealed by The Chronicle have shown just how close a decision was to being made on the potential takeover of Newcastle United.

As per the news outlet, in emails sent to the Premier League, officials from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) stated many times that sources believed that a decision on the proposed deal between Mike Ashley and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) group was 'imminent.'

On June 21st 2020, the top flight reportedly confirmed that a decision to be made on the takeover was 'possible', although they did also claim that they could need more time.

The KSA's Public Investment Fund (PIF) eventually pulled out of the deal after a growing impatience with the top flight's meandering, and it is not clear why the Premier League suddenly made a U-turn in terms of thinking that a decision was 'possible' and then not.

Can the Newcastle takeover be revived?

Given just how close a decision on the potential takeover in the North East was seemingly to being made, it is very much still possible that the bid can be revisited.

It will be interesting to see what the Premier League's stance is come the pending arbitration case between them and the Tyneside club, and the result of that could make it a lot clearer with regards to whether the takeover can still be revived.

The Daily Mail's Craig Hope's latest update seems to suggest a deal is still in the offing, as the journalist claimed on Wednesday that Ashley's decision to let go of retail staff may have been in cohorts with potential new owners, which you can read about below.

Find out what revelation Craig Hope has dropped on the potential new owners here!