This is what we will finally learn about Mike Ashley

Will this time be any different? That’s the question fans are asking after news broke of a £340million takeover bid backed by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund and led by financier Amanda Staveley.

Supporters are sceptical, as they’ve repeatedly seen previous consortiums fail to raise the funds to complete a deal for the Premier League club.

They’re also, understandably, sceptical about Mike Ashley’s willingness to sell the club, which was formally put up for sale in late 2017.

Alan Shearer gave his view last summer amid another takeover saga. The former Newcastle striker said: “It comes up every 18 months. Nobody genuinely believes a takeover is going to happen. Something’s only for sale if you have a willing seller.”

Toon for Change today had a message for United’s owner as more reports circulated about Staveley’s plans for the club. The fan group said in a statement: “Prove the sceptics like us who believe that you are unwilling to sell our football wrong.

“Sell Newcastle United to a party that has the ambition to make us the top-six club.”

However, should the club be sold to a Saudi-backed consortium? That’s another question, and Amnesty International labelled the potential takeover as further evidence of “sportswashing”.

In a statement, Amnesty said: “Staff and fans at Newcastle United should familiarise themselves with the dire human rights situation in Saudi Arabia.”

Many supporters will be familiar with the political situation in the country following last year’s assassination of dissident Jamal Khashoggi.

The buying side have indicated that a deal is close – discussions are said to be “advanced” – but there's caution on the selling side after four months of talks. Justin Barnes, Ashley’s close associate, has been leading what have been described as “complicated” discussions.

Ashley, we know, is unhappy that the talks have been made public, and the timing of the leaks is curious. Why leak now?

Still, the club is seemingly far closer to a sale than we all thought a few days ago – and if Ashley, genuinely, wants to sell, this could be the best deal out there.