Mike Ashley handed new Saudi takeover boost via Premier League letter - PA news agency

An intriguing 'exclusive' from the often-reliable PA news agency has emerged this afternoon, explaining why Mike Ashley has received fresh encouragement over the ongoing Saudi-led takeover bid.

They reveal that the NUFC owners' camp have been boosted by news that the Premier League have left Saudi Arabia OFF a letter submitted for the US government's 2021 piracy watch list earlier this year.

PA news agency report that Ashley has seen this as a positive sign as he prepares for the arbitration hearing next month, with piracy issues one of the major issues holding up the stalled £300m deal that collapsed last summer.

The same piece also states that 'consortium sources' insists the Saudi-backed buyers "have not moved a muscle" and are 'ready to relaunch their takeover bid' once the legal case is over.

Here's what PA Media's Jamie Gardner has had to say this afternoon:

It is worth noting that this Premier League letter was seen by PA Media back in January - yet here we are almost six months later with no resolution - however it's intriguing that this update comes at a time where there's been more than one report suggesting both Mike Ashley and the Saudis are increasingly confident a deal will eventually be passed.

Also, the UK Government is KSA friendly and has more leverage over the EPL after the farcical handling of the ESL, not to mention the fact a long-term blockade between Qatar and KSA is over, potentially cooling Bein Sports' desire to stand in the way of a £300m deal.

Who knows what this will all amount to, but I'd rather here promising news and rays of hope than negatives - even if it risks every-so-slightly building our hopes up yet again!