The Premier League asked the United States government to keep Saudi Arabia on its piracy watch list before beginning checks on Newcastle United's Saudi-led takeover.

It is the news Newcastle fans have been dreaming about for years - a big-money takeover and the possible departure of Mike Ashley. But how does a deal actually happen? Our expert reveals all.

EXCLUSIVE BY CRAIG HOPE: Andy Carroll has beaten the mystery injury that was threatening to end his season - but is now sweating on the resumption of Premier League football.

First-team players are expected to return to training next week, providing Government's formal review and Premier League shareholders' meeting agree to finish the current campaign.

Newcastle's proposed takeover would rocket them into the bracket of the world's wealthiest sports club. Temuri Ketsbaia feels the spending would have to be ruthless from day one.

The BBC, another key Premier League partner, has also complained to the European Commission about Saudi Arabia regarding TV piracy, which could scupper state's bid to buy Newcastle.

Newcastle's first team stars have launched a bid to save boss Steve Bruce with the club's prospective new owners keen to appoint Mauricio Pochettino as manager, according to The Sun.

Matt Ritchie believes Newcastle team-mate Jonjo Shelvey could play for Barcelona 'if only his head was screwed on'. Shelvey, 28, has been capped six times by England.

The manager was sacked in November and was paid the same fee in compensation, but part of the agreement means any club wishing to employ him within six months has to repay Spurs that amount.

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.

The Magpies are the subject of a £300million takeover bid backed by Saudi's Public Investment Fund, and if that is ratified the club would become one of the richest in Europe.

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.

According to The Sun , Magpies owner Mike Ashley is determined to land a manager with experience in the Premier League and Martinez fits that mould.

The UK's ninth case of coronavirus arrived at Lewisham Hospital in south London on Sunday night, in a major breach of public health advice.

Kingston Crescent Surgery in Portsmouth bolted its doors at 4.30pm today following a suspected coronavirus case. Two MPs have self-isolated after going to a conference attended by a sufferer.

A drunk Newcastle University student fell asleep in an Uber on his way home after a boozy night and woke up 250 miles off course with a £1,300 bill.

CHRIS FOY - WORLD OF RUGBY: It is up to the RFU and Premiership Rugby to provide some urgent clarity so the Newcastle Falcons can save themselves.

Newcastle United have offered winger Christian Atsu to Nottingham Forest on loan. The 28-year old was offered to West Brom also this week after they made an offer for Hull's Kamil Grosicki.

CRAIG HOPE AT THE HAWTHORNS: Free-scoring Newcastle United are into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup - now there is a statement that requires a double-take.

West Brom winger Jonathan Leko has made the remarkable claim that he may decide to keep quiet if he is racially abused again after he hit out at the handling of his case against Kiko Casilla.

Kick It Out chief Troy Townsend admitted he had let Jonathan Leko down after the West Brom winger said he was not properly supported after suffering racial abuse.

Everton 'are targeting a summer move' for Newcastle United's £30million-rated Allan Saint-Maximin. The 22-year-old winger has been one of the bright sparks in Newcastle's season.

EXCLUSIVE BY MIKE KEEGAN: Casilla was banned for eight matches at the start of March following an incident which took place during a Championship match at the Valley.

In just a few short years, Pardew's stock has fallen at a rapid rate and he now returns to England with his tail tucked between his legs and no job offers on the horizon. But where did it all go so wrong?

Rondon spent the entirety of the 2018-19 season on loan at Newcastle from West Brom and scored 12 goals in 33 appearances, which saw him crowned the club's player of the year.

CRAIG HOPE AT ST JAMES' PARK: Newcastle United and Norwich City played out a bore 0-0 draw at St James' Park which pushed the Canaries closer to Premier League relegation.

Marcel Garrigou-Grandchamp, a retired Lyon doctor, told Gazzetta Dello Sport 'football was an accelerator of the epidemic'. The doctor published a chart showing an explosion of cases.

UEFA president said he would consider finishing the European competitions behind closed doors but will accept they might have to be cancelled if they were unable to resume by September.

EXCLUSIVE: Billionaire owner Stan Kroenke has often been criticised by Arsenal supporters for what some perceive as a lack of spending in the transfer market, but he has promised millions here.

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

PETE JENSON IN SPAIN: Proposals to take the current La Liga table as final and use them to decide European places for next season has sent shockwaves through the Spanish game.

Mark Jenson is the co-founder of The Mag, now the leading independent website on all things Newcastle United. He speaks out about what it is like to support a team owned by the retail giant.

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.

Faustino Asprilla has backed Steve Bruce to stay on as Newcastle United boss after the club is taken over by a Saudi consortium, despite links to high profile managers. 

Even if Newcastle's takeover happens, spending restrictions in place at domestic level in the Premier League and at UEFA level will make it difficult for the club to spend high amounts.

The upcoming season of The Real Housewives of Melbourne will introduce three new cast members. 

Thousands of New York City stores are boarding up their doors as they face indefinite closure amid the coronavirus crisis. The Big Apple is now the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak in the US.

Former Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack on Monday warned of escalating food supply chain disruptions as concerns about future shortages grow amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Lawmakers and the WH reached an agreement Tuesday to replenish the payment protection program after Democrats blocked the measure for not including enough relief for other programs.

The nickname was a reference to a former team-mate who, rather than having a drinks break with the rest of the squad, would instead have a chat with the manager and coaching staff.

ADAM LANIGAN AT THE BET365 STADIUM: Sam Clucas settled a personal score against the club he joined for £16.5m before their Premier League relegation and helped to extend Stoke's fine run.

Midfielder Ki Sung-yueng has left Newcastle after his contract was torn up by mutual consent, the Magpies have confirmed. The 31-year-old has made just four appearances for the club this season.

The 31-year-old defender is the third senior player to extend his stay in a matter of days after midfielders Jonjo Shelvey and Matt Ritchie both signed contract extensions last Friday.

Wales head coach Wayne Pivac has revealed that 'two or three' of his squad have tested positive for coronavirus. The pandemic saw the Six Nations brought to a halt before it could finish.

There is no doubt that the most hygienic way to pay for something is with a tap of a contactless card. But if you're spending more than £45 you either have to use a card machine, or hand over cash.

Mick Jagger cut a casual figure as he watched England take on Australia in the Ashes on Thursday.

Felicia Sonmez (right) received death threats after sharing a link about Bryant, who was accused of rape in 2003 by a 19-year-old hotel employee. The charges were dropped and a civil suit was settled.

Felicia Sonmez (left) tweeted about Kobe Bryant's sexual assault case just hours after he was killed in a helicopter accident. She has been reinstated after a two-day suspension.

The countdown to the English domestic season continues for Premier League and Football League clubs. Sportsmail's LUKE AUGUSTUS provides live coverage of the 3pm friendlies.

Newcastle scouted QPR full-back Ryan Manning during his side's 2-0 defeat by Leeds on Saturday. According to Football Insider, the Magpies are keeping close tabs on the 23-year-old.