PCP Capital Partners remain confident that Newcastle United's proposed £300million takeover will go through, Chronicle Live journalist Mark Douglas reports.

They remain 'absolutely committed' to the deal, rebuffing any suggestions of interest in other clubs.

Meanwhile, the members of Saudi's Arabia Public Investment Fund officially maintain they have withdrawn their interest.

But sources close to them are 'adamant' that they are still keen and that the process will resume if 'a path to the takeover being completed emerges'.

Douglas' lowdown on Newcastle takeover arbitration

That so-called 'path' could hinge on the decision of the independent arbitration panel, who will make a ruling on whether the PIF is separate from the Saudi government.

The Premier League determined that that was not the case.

Newcastle, Douglas adds, could still launch further legal moves if arbitration does not have the desired outcome.

The team took giant strides towards Premier League survival with a run of eight points from a possible 12 and, sharing Douglas' words on their Twitter page, Chronicle Live claimed the takeover 'will be the next big issue' at the club with next season in the top flight now all but secure.

Transfer Tavern verdict

Let's place this highly complex situation in a sporting context - we're entering the final weeks of the season, and the opening of the transfer window is just over a month away.

Barring a swift resolution, it seems likely that Newcastle will be preparing for the 2021/22 campaign with Steve Bruce as manager and Mike Ashley as owner.

But will Ashley want to commit any significant funds to transfers if he feels a takeover may be imminent?

It feels as if the club is in limbo right now, and that could certainly be damaging to any potential transfer plans in the summer.

In other news, read Allan-Saint Maximin's intriguing programme comments.