Longstaff is one of the top flight's lowest earners but has still put money towards the NHS' fight against coronavirus as part of the Premier League's 'Players Together' initiative.

Documents lodged last week and made public on Tuesday appear to be laying the legal framework for a deal to proceed. Sources close to the club say it is proof of talks being advanced.

KIERAN GILL: Amanda Staveley could be about to become the new First Lady of Football. She is thought to have a personal fortune of £115m-plus, and is no stranger to the limelight.

CRAIG HOPE: Newcastle United are in talks with Amanda Staveley over the sale of the Premier League club. So is this finally the end of Mike Ashley's 13-year reign as owner?

The Italian left Juventus at the end of last season and has been out of work since, despite being linked with a host of teams across Europe.

EXCLUSIVE BY MIKE KEEGAN AND CRAIG HOPE: Sources have disclosed that all the necessary paperwork has been lodged, and that the potential deal now awaits their approval.

Newcastle's potential new owners believe that the finances of the £300m takeover mean there will be no need to continue the controversial furlough scheme, according to the Telegraph.

EXCLUSIVE BY CRAIG HOPE: Sources close to the £300million deal being brokered by Amanda Staveley say it would be 'wrong' to make an immediate managerial change.

Jenas, who played for the Magpies in the Champions League, thinks the buyers will want to revolutionise his former side and bring back the ambition that was lacking under Ashley

The bid to take over the club is being chaired by Mohammed bin Salman, who is the defence minister. He oversaw the devastating Yemen attacks that caused a humanitarian crisis.

OLIVER HOLT - CHIEF SPORTS WRITER: Let us disregard the succession just for a moment and agree that if Mike Ashley departs Newcastle United, it will be a reason to celebrate. 

A huge £200million will be handed to Newcastle boss Steve Bruce by the club's prospective new owners as part of an ambitious plan to return the Geordie club to Champions League contenders.

Sources have disclosed that cash has now exchanged hands - with the remainder of the balance due when the Premier League approves the change of ownership.

EXCLUSIVE BY CRAIG HOPE: Mike Ashley was hours away from confirming the £300million sale of Newcastle United last week only for the Saudi owners in-waiting to insist on a delay.

The north-east club are reportedly on the verge of being sold to a Saudi-backed consortium which involves Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for around £300million.

The imminent takeover at Newcastle United has fuelled talk of the club once again challenging at the top of the Premier League. Sportsmail has taken a look at possible transfer targets.

English football's biggest overseas broadcast partner beIN Sports have reportedly urged the Premier League to block Newcastle's proposed takeover from the Saudi Arabian-led consortium.

Amnesty's UK director Kate Allen wrote a letter saying there were serious questions to address but Masters insisted 'due process' would take place.

A £300million buyout of the north-east club, backed by the country's public investment fund, is reportedly close to being finalised.

The Human Rights Foundation have become the latest campaign group to write to Premier League chief executive Richard Masters condemning the takeover of Newcastle.

The Magpies are close to finalising a £300million takeover by a Saudi Arabian consortium which is backed by the country's public investment fund.

The Saudi consortium's proposed takeover means that they are set to hold an 80 per cent stake in the club, putting American Henry Mauriss' attempt to buy Newcastle on the back burner.

EXCLUSIVE: BeIN Sports have written to the Premier League urging chief executive Richard Masters to block the £300million deal for Newcastle, citing illegal streaming of matches in Saudi Arabia.

Newcastle's Valentino Lazaro has slammed the Premier League and club executives over their plan to introduce blanket 30 per cent cuts to players' wages amid the coronavirus crisis.

The £300m deal is awaiting the League's approval but that process is understood to have been held up given the complexity of broadcast piracy allegations against the Saudi state.

Assuming the takeover goes through, Newcastle's spending power would be transformed with former Tottenham manager Pochettino seen as the man to deliver a potential title challenge.

Joe Root became only the fifth England player to make a hundred in his first innings as Test captain. Root's runs were all the more necessary after another England top-order collapse.

Joe Root's 52 against South Africa at Old Trafford meant has now scored at least one half-century in each of his last 10 Tests, equalling John Edrich's England record.

TOP SPIN AT THE TEST: As he did against South Africa last month, Root has begun this series against West Indies with a century. And the clenched fist conveyed a simple truth: it was a hundred he needed.

LAWRENCE BOOTH AT OLD TRAFFORD: Jos Buttler inspired England to a series whitewash after posting an unbeaten century in the final ODI against Australia on Sunday.

England and the Czechs are level on six points - although Gareth Southgate's side have played a game less - with Kosovo a point further back after a late 3-2 defeat of Bulgaria in Sofia.

STEPHEN McGOWAN AT THE KING BAUDOUIN STADIUM: As manager of Scotland Steve Clarke can't wave his arms and turn water into wine. Coaching is his thing, not miracles.

Romelu Lukaku netted a brace against Scotland on Tuesday night but he came under-fire on social media for failing to score from close range.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY ROB DRAPER: The best coaches are always learning, sometimes even from their players. Vincent Kompany helped Martinez plot the downfall of Brazil at the World Cup.

Belgium's players relaxed between Euro 2020 qualifiers by completing an ambitious heading routine in a swimming pool. The squad are currently unbeaten after five games in Group I.

STEPHEN MCGOWAN AT HAMPDEN PARK: Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans made headlines by comparing a game against Scotland to playing San Marino. 

Romelu Lukaku has insisted he feels no pressure to score his 50th goal for Belgium after moving one goal from the milestone following his strike in a 4-0 Euro 2020 qualifying win at Scotland.

The former Ayr player has been selected for next month's European Championship qualifiers against Russia and San Marino after netting 15 goals in his first 12 games for his new club.

Romelu Lukaku scored his 50th international goal as Belgium thrashed San Marino on Thursday and became the first side through to the Euro 2020 finals.

KAZAKHSTAN 0-2 BELGIUM: Michy Batshuayi and Thomas Meunier scored as Belgium beat Kazakhstan 2-0 away in their latest Euro 2020 qualifier.

Russia have confirmed they will play their upcoming Euro 2020 Group I qualification matches in their old kit as their new strip inverts the country's flag.

Going into the game, Finland were the only Nordic nation not to have played at a major tournament, but the 3-0 win secured their first passage, with the Sonera Stadium going wild.

Mick McCarthy says he is happier knowing Ireland have to beat Denmark on Monday to qualify for Euro 2020 - and he is considering using Spurs teenager Troy Parrott in the high-profile match.

Michy Batshuayi has been poking fun at Dedryck Boyata after the defender accidentally wore his No 23 shirt for Belgium in their Euro 2020 qualifying victory over Russia. 

The Republic of Ireland take on Denmark in their final Euro 2020 qualifying game tonight at the Aviva Stadium. Follow all the action from the 7.45pm GMT kick-off with SAM MCEVOY.

Shane Duffy is ready to reach Euro 2020 the hard way after the Republic of Ireland saw automatic qualification snatched from their grasp.

England will step up their preparations for Euro 2020 with a friendly against Denmark next March. The two sides will lock horns on March 31 at Wembley.

BELGIUM 6-1 CYPRUS The away side took a shock lead in the 14th minute through Ioannou before Crystal Palace striker hit back moments later from close range.

Belgium have been charged by UEFA for the gaffe that saw Dedryck Boyata wearing Michy Batshuayi's shirt during their Euro 2020 qualifying victory over Russia. 

Euro 2020 begins on June 12 and teams are frantically searching for opponents to play in the weeks leading up to the tournament but France are finding it particularly difficult.