It did not go unnoticed that Newcastle chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan was in the stands for Sunday’s 4-3 win over Nottingham Forest.

His visit felt significant and it has since been confirmed that the PIF governor was on Tyneside to hold a series of meetings over the next steps for Newcastle United and St James’ Park.

Big decisions await, but new details have emerged on some key meetings over the past 24 hours, with Eddie Howe encouraged by what lies ahead following Al-Rumayyan’s visit.

PIF chief presented with two proposals

As revealed by The Telegraph, Yasir Al-Rumayyan attended a high-level meeting with senior figures at Newcastle on Monday to consider our stadium plans.

It’s believed the meeting – which took place at Northumberland’s Matfen Hall yesterday –  also included Paul Mitchell, Darren Eales (CEO), Brad Miller (COO), Peter Silverstone (CCO) and Simon Capper (CFO) all present from club.

Al-Rumayyan was presented with two plans; the option of a redeveloped St James’ Park and the potential for a brand new stadium, with the club’s financial position in relation to PSR also discussed ahead of a vital summer transfer window for the club.

The Telegraph report that the board have presented a new 70,000 purpose-built stadium as the preferred option to Al-Rumayyan, but PIF will now consider the £1.5 billion cost implications and time will be taken over a final decision.

Howe buoyed by Al-Rumayyan visit

Speaking in this morning’s press conference ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Liverpool, Eddie Howe was asked about Al-Rumayyan’s recent visit to the north east.

Howe gave away little detail on internal discussions that took place, but confirmed he was in some of the meetings and left “very pleased” by the ambition on show, feeling there is a “drive to be successful” and big plans in place to grow in every department.

“I had various conversation with him,” Howe said. “I always take heart from seeing him and talking with him because you see his passion for Newcastle and you see how much he directly cares about everything that’s going on here. He was in good spirits and enjoyed seeing us win.

“A lot was discussed at the meetings. I was in some of them. I can’t say anything (about what was said) but I was very pleased that the ambition and drive to be successful is still very much there from everyone connected to the club.

“We need to drastically improve everything we are delivering if we are going to catch the teams above us. And that goes right across the board in every department of the football club.

“We have so much to do to get to the top. It’s not going to happen just by thinking it, or willing it — we have to deliver it. That takes investment, smart thinking, strategic thinking, and we need to implement it.

“We have taken a bit of a hit (in last 3 windows) in terms of taking the team forward, but it’s nobody’s fault. We know that we want to take the team forward again and have ideas to do it.

“Can we compete financially with the top clubs? In the future it can, but a set date we don’t know. We can get there with bright thinking, ideas and willingness. But that will take a bit of time as these clubs are way ahead of us in terms of their income.”