© The GuardianMike Ashley
The prospects of Newcastle United being taken over will not be negatively influenced if the magpies are relegated from the Premier League, according to the latest report from The Independent.
The report outlines the host of sticking points around the proposed £300 million takeover at the moment, with Mike Ashley still keen to offload the club amid the issued arbitration process against the Premier League.
While it also reaffirms the geopolitics of Saudi Arabia and Qatar have seen promising developments in recent months with the thawing of tension between the two nations. There is also the belief that if this continues the objections over PIF based on the Saudi treatment of rights holders will dissipate.
Reports have emerged this week though that all takeover talks have been stalled by Ashley until the Magpies can be assured of what league they will be playing in next season.
That comes after an awful run of eight defeats in 11 Premier League games has plunged Steve Bruce's side right into the thick of a relegation battle.
However, despite talks having been paused, The Independent's report reveals that although a price renegotiation would need to be conducted in the event of relegation it is expected that the figures would be 'straightforward' and would not take long to sort out. While it also outlines the Premier League would still need to give PIF an indication they were ready to approve their takeover.
Read Newcastle verdict
It does seem by this latest update that there is still every chance a takeover happens, assuming all other issues are sorted out, even if the Magpies are relegated from the Premier League. That will perhaps relieve some fears that might have crept in over the current predicament Bruce's side are in.
There will be some scepticism over the claim that a renegotiation would be simple enough, given Ashley has always set a premium price tag on the club and nothing has proven to be straightforward in regards to this takeover as of yet.
For Newcastle's sake, they would need a takeover even more badly if they were relegated with that being the most damning sign that Ashley's ownership is never going to be the right sort the club need. So, hopefully there proves to be something in this latest update in the event of the unthinkable happening this term.