Monday development ‘absolutely huge’ for Newcastle takeover – pundit | OneFootball

Avoiding relegation was “absolutely huge” for the prospective Newcastle United takeover, according to Alan Hutton.

The former defender, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the Saudi-backed consortium would have pulled their bid the Magpies gone down.

Fulham’s defeat to Burnley on Monday confirmed the Cottagers’ relegation and Newcastle’s safety.

Scott Parker’s men join West Brom and Sheffield United in dropping down to the Championship next season.

As revealed by Football Insider last month, Newcastle are hopeful the Saudi-backed takeover bid will go through this summer a year after it was blocked.

Mike Ashley hired renowned sports lawyer Nick De Marco to enter an arbitration process against the Premier League.

He has also launched a claim with the Competition Tribunal Appeal against the governing body.

However, Hutton insisted none of that would have mattered had Newcastle not secured Premier League safety.

“It’s absolutely huge. I think if they did go down, the takeover is off the table,” Hutton told Football Insider’s Russell Edge.

“It is what it is. Staying up was obviously huge, it means that a possible takeover will still be there.

“I just think for all the fans, Steve Bruce, everybody, that’s what it needs.  Obviously, they’ve not been happy for a long time with who’s in charge at the moment.

“I think it’s best for everybody if a new party comes in. Then you’re talking about the investment.

“We know how big a club Newcastle are and where they can get to with the right funding.

“If they do get the money, obviously the takeover has to happen first, but we’re talking about two different pathways.

“We can see two totally different teams if the takeover happens or if it doesn’t.”

Newcastle currently sit 15th in the Premier League, 12 points clear of Fulham with three games to play.

Steve Bruce’s men pulled off a surprise 4-2 win away at Leicester City on Friday to help seal their place in the league.

The Magpies will finish their season with games against Manchester City, Sheffield United and Fulham.