Takeover latest as patience urged on Saudi deal plus West Ham to rival Newcastle for midfielder

Marseille's French midfielder Morgan Sanson (C) kicks the ball during the French L1 football match between Olympique de Marseille (OM) and Football Club de Nantes (FCN) at the Velodrome Stadium in Marseille, southern France, on February 22, 2020. (Photo by GERARD JULIEN / AFP) (Photo by GERARD JULIEN/AFP via Getty Images)

Newcastle United and West Ham have long been linked with a move for the Ligue 1 player, but Marseille are reportedly looking to recoup around £43million for Sanson.

Le 10 Sport claim that despite the coronavirus crisis pushing many clubs into lowering their asking price for players, Marseille will not allow Sanson to leave for a cut-price fee.

Marseille are understood to have rejected a bid of around £30million for the player from West Ham last summer.

Sanson is a former Le Mans, Montpellier and France under-21 midfielder.

Meanwhile, the Athletic have given an update on where they believe the Newcastle United takeover stands.

George Caulkin, who claims to have spoken to the buying side, told the outlet’s Pod on the Tyne: “It is a process which is supposed to be exhaustive, it is supposed to be serious and it is supposed to be done properly.

“Their latest timeframe is next week but this will take as long as it takes.

“They were told it would take four weeks but there is no definitive deadline on this.”

The Premier League are currently working through their owners and directors test re the deal, but the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, Reuben Brothers and PCP Capital Partners takeover, worth around £300million, is still understood to be in line for the green light from the game’s governing body.