THE new Newcastle owners are hoping to pry a major asset away from Manchester City with their first piece of business.

The Saudi-backed consortium is expected to be completed today, and it is believed they are looking to poach Jason Wilcox away from City.

Wilcox is currently the champions’ academy director but he is expected to make the move to Newcastle.

The Telegraph are reporting that Wilcox is among the favourites to takeover as sporting director at the club.

Who is Jason Wilcox?

A former premier league winner, Wilcox spent the first ten years of his playing career at Blackburn Rovers.

After signing for the side in 1989 at the age of 16, the winger went on to make more than 250 appearances for Blackburn and was part of the side that lifted the Premier League in 1995.

 

His time at Ewood Park also saw Wilcox earn international recognition, picking up three caps for England.

He made his international debut in 1996 during a 3-0 win over Hungary. His other caps would be picked up against France and Argentina.

Wilcox just missed out on making the England squad for Euro 96 and was replaced by Gareth Barry in the Euro 2000 squad after an injury.

After his ten years at Blackburn, the winger moved to Leeds where he spent nearly five years.

In 2004 he moved to Leicester before finishing his career at Blackpool.

He was made Manchester City’s academy director in 2017 and quickly became a major part of their youth development programme.

What is the latest on the Newcastle United takeover?

The consortium withdrew after the Premier League identified the Saudi stake as a director with control over the club, which would have made it subject to the league’s owners’ and directors’ test as part of the takeover process.

 

However, following a lifting of the bank, the takeover has accelerated overnight with the Saudi PIF set to take an 80% stake in the club.

The takeover would also bring an end to Mike Ashley's 14 year stay as the owner of Newcastle in what has transpired to be a toxic and turbulent reign at the club with fans overwhelmingly happy to see a new ownership take over.

The news is expected to be confirmed by today but there has been no official word on when there will be an expected announcement.

Who is behind the Newcastle United takeover?

The consortium is fronted by British businesswoman Amanda Staveley.

Born in Yorkshire, Staveley is known for her connections with Middle Eastern investors.

Her firm, PCP Capital Partners, acted for Sheikh Mansour of the Abu Dhabi royal family, and was involved in his purchase of Manchester City in 2008.

The firm is joined by Reuben Brothers and Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia(PIF) in the consortium.

It is expected that the proposed move would see PIF own 80 per cent of the club, while PCP Partners and Reuben Brothers would each own ten per cent.