Ben Jacobs has dropped a claim on the potential takeover of Newcastle United as an update emerged involving Mike Ashley and the Premier League.

The Lowdown: Ashley files anti-competition lawsuit

As per The Shields Gazette, the Magpies and Ashley are looking to take the top flight to court for what they believe to be anti-competitive behaviour in their decision-making process on the proposed takeover by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium.

The North East club have also adopted the anti-competition case presented to them by Newcastle Consortium Supporters Limited (NCSL), as the EPL were given fresh case legal papers with Ashley looking to force them to wave through the bid.

The Latest: Jacobs drops worrying takeover claim

Jacobs, someone who has been following the whole takeover saga very closely, has since claimed that Ashley's lawsuit against the division is "not just a ploy to further punish EPL, but a very personal battle to gain something from what increasingly looks like a failed takeover."

He also added that "the timing of the new damages case doesn’t bode well," given that there is still an arbitration hearing between Ashley and the league yet to take place and it seems odd that he now wants to claim damages, suggesting that he may not be confident in winning the arbitration case.

The Verdict: Takeover could be in jeopardy

Given the fact that Ashley is now trying to claim damages against the Premier League, despite the fact we are still awaiting the result of the pending arbitration hearing, the takeover could be in real danger of going under.

Still, there is hope if a positive outcome comes out of the case, but for now it seems as if a potential takeover at St. James' Park is looking increasingly unlikely, and to make matters worse for fans, Jacobs seems to think Ashley has seen opportunity in a process which is destroying their dreams.

In other news, find out what big blow NUFC have received before Leicester City here!