Sky Sports journalist Keith Downie has delivered the lates updates on the potential Newcastle United takeover deal.

According to The Times, the Saudi-led consortium has moved a step closer to buying Newcastle United. They have clinched a deal with the Magpies for a fee in the region of £300 million.

Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley was forced to drop his asking price by £40m due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

A part of the total fund has been paid already while the remaining part will be paid once the Premiership approves the change of ownership.

Downie has revealed on Twitter that Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce will be given the last nine games of the season before the new owners will consider bringing in their own candidate.

Source tells us Steve Bruce likely be given last 9 games of the season (providing it gets finished) as #NUFC boss, before new owners consider bringing in their own man. Chairman-in-waiting Yassir Al-Rumyyan plans to be based in Saudi, and not involved in hands-on running of club.

— Keith Downie (@SkySports_Keith) April 20, 2020

In another tweet, he said that sources close to the deal reckon that the takeover process could be wrapped up as early as the end of the April, so it could be completed within the next 10 days.

The Daily Mail has claimed that all relevant paperwork has been signed and the process of completion is expected to take three to four weeks.

Downie says that it is difficult to pinpoint a time frame, and therefore it remains a ‘fluid situation’.

A source close to the deal reckons it could be as early as end of April (so 10 days), but it remains a very fluid situation. These things always take different amounts of time depending on how organised the buyers’ are so it’s difficult to be precise. https://t.co/AF3M7cmYOG

— Keith Downie (@SkySports_Keith) April 20, 2020

If the deal goes through, the Saudi sovereign wealth fund will become the new majority owners at St James’ Park, holding 80 per cent of the club.

Another 10 per cent will be owned by financier Amanda Staveley and property tycoons David and Simon Reuben.

Simon Bird of the Mirror has claimed that the new owners are looking to pump £200m into recruitment and infrastructure.