D-day approaching for Saudi takeover, but Mike Ashley has just sanctioned double deal - Report

Mike Ashley has given Steve Bruce the green light to secure a few early summer signings, according to The Chronicle.

Funds are believed to be tight on Tyneside and the NUFC owner is undoubtedly reluctant to spend big as he pushes for a sale, however it's reported he's sanctioned a couple of deals on a week that will see his Saudi takeover battle step up a notch.

Ashley's Competition Appeal Tribunal - the first of two cases against the Premier League - begins this Friday, but The Chronicle insist that Steve Bruce has been eager to recruit before the players return for pre-season begins in a few weeks time.

Thankfully, Lee Ryder claims Mike Ashley has taken this on board and agreed to fund the two signings Steve Bruce has pushed for.

No names are mentioned - although it's clear the likes of Joe Willock and Kristoffer Ajer are targets - but The Chronicle do state that the Newcastle United boss has made it clear he'd like to bring in a centre-back, midfielder and forward at the very minimum.

Three other players who've been regularly linked in those positions are free agent striker Josh King, Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury - a player who nearly signed in January - and Arsenal centre-back WIlliam Salbia, with Lee Ryder actually confirming in the piece that he is a player we scouted during his impressive loan spell at OGC Nice.

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