The delay in Newcastle United's potential takeover could lead to AS Roma being bought by the Saudi Arabia Crown Prince, with the Italian's also looking for a new owner.
Mike Ashley's attempted sale to Newcastle, to the Amanda Staveley led consortium, has been delayed in recent weeks with reports that other Premier League clubs aren't happy with the sale.
Roma are reportedly looking for a new owner, with American owner James Pallotta having recruited Goldman Sachs to find a new buyer.
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According to the Star, the Italians have contacted the Saudi Crown Prince over the possibility of a sale, should the Newcastle deal not go ahead.
The report claims that the talks are not in order to 'hijack' the deal for the English club, with the Italians still expecting that deal to happen, but rather they want to know what the chances of a takeover would be should things with the Magpies fall through.
Mohammed bin Salman's representatives have previously been in talks with the Serie A side, who have been owned by Pallotta, Thomas R. DiBenedetto, Michael Ruane and Richard D'Amore since 2011.
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American Dan Friedkin was expecting to buy the club from the Italian capital before Coronavirus put the season on hold and the takeover was also paused, with no confirmation it will happen when things return to 'normal.'
Newcastle and the consortium delivered signed papers to 'Companies House' for the sale of the club five weeks ago but things have been held up.
Qatar based beIN Sports have been the most vocal protesters to the take over of Newcastle to the Saudi owners.
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The middle east broadcasters are the Premier League's biggest financers in terms of television rights from abroad and have complained against Saudi Arabia for their pirated showing of games.
There is also issues with the human rights record of Saudi Arabia and there has been calls by MPs to also investigate the television piracy as delays to the deal continue.
During his spell as owner Ashley has seen the Magpies get relegated to the Championship twice, and promoted back to the Premier League twice, and there has been criticism from fans about a lack of funds being invested in the team.
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Steve Bruce's side are currently 13th in the league and eight points clear of the relegation zone with nine games left, whenever the league does restart.
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