NEWCASTLE UNITED boss Steve Bruce has demanded clarity on the club’s takeover, with the Premier League yet to decide whether to ratify a deal involving the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund.

Amanda Staveley’s consortium, backed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and British billionaires Simon and David Reuben, has agreed to buy the club for £300 million from current owner Mike Ashley.

The Premier League has been conducting its owners’ and directors’ test since April, and while the process was reported to take up to four weeks, it looks set to enter its fourth month.

Complaints over the Saudis’ human-rights record and broadcast piracy against Qatari-based BeIN Sports, a Premier League partner, are believed to be behind the hold up. 

“Everybody needs a bit of clarity,” Bruce said after watching his side lose 2-0 to Manchester City in the FA Cup at St James’s Park on Sunday.

“If I’m led to believe the Premier League are stalling these negotiations, then they’ve got to come and make a decision sooner or later.

“[The silence] is not healthy for anybody. We’ve got another game on Wednesday and we’ve given ourselves a wonderful opportunity, so we can’t use that as an excuse.”

Supporters, too, are desperate for a conclusion — with many hoping to see Ashley’s miserable 13-year tenure on Tyneside come to an end.