The American group in talks with Newcastle United are convinced of a successful takeover.

The Daily Mail says while the drawnout buyout saga has tested the patience of everyone, the New York charity fund that is bankrolling businessman Geoff Sheard's consortium is still super confident a deal will be done through Manchester lawyers Halliwells that bypasses official selling agents Seymour Pierce.

For their part, Mike Ashley's Newcastle is still waiting for a genuine bidder to provide proof of the £100million needed.