Keith Downie has dropped a big update on Newcastle United's arbitration case against the Premier League over the failed takeover.
The Lowdown: Arbitration reportedly in July
There have been various reports that the arbitration hearing between the St. James' Park faithful and the English top flight over the failed deal between Mike Ashley and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) group is set to take place in July.
The timing is not ideal given that the summer transfer window has officially opened and that the date is close to the start of the new 2021/22 season, but a positive result for the North East club could accelerate a potential revival of the original bid.
The Latest: Arbitration update
Downie, who is a North-East based football journalist for Sky Sports, has since given an update on the date set for the arbitration proceedings, claiming: 'We expect the independent arbitration to begin at the end of the month'.
Given that previous reports had stated that arbitration was set to take place in July, it now appears it could be brought forward by a week or so to the end of June, news which will boost the club's transfer plans.
The Verdict: Positive if arbitration pushed forward
It can only be seen as a positive if the arbitration case has been pushed forward from July to June, regardless of how small the change is.
If the results of the hearing go in the way of the Tyneside club, then in theory it could pave a path for the takeover to be quickly completed, as the separate anti-competition claim made against the division would no longer be needed, and the Magpies could then start to work with the PL over a solution.
In a dream scenario, if the takeover were able to be completed shortly after the proceedings are finished, then it would give the new owners more time to work on transfers and thus prepare themselves a lot better for the new campaign.
Nonetheless, the results of arbitration will no doubt be key to see the direction in where the deal is heading, and the sooner it is done the sooner the Magpies can begin their summer transfer activity, rather than be left in limbo.