Amanda Staveley has met Newcastle United officials and has opened lines of communication for further talks to take place regarding a potential takeover.

Staveley met the man appointed by owner Mike Ashley to find a buyer, Justin Barnes, earlier this week and, following an initial meeting in the St James’ Park boardroom, is keen to hold more discussions in the coming days.

The financier, with strong links to billionaires in the Middle East, has also spoken to managing director Lee Charnley, as well as Ashley’s public relations advisor Keith Bishop, as she weighs up whether to launch a serious attempt to buy the club.

The talks are at an embryonic stage, but things have progressed since Sunday, when the former girlfriend of Prince Andrew was pictured sitting in the director’s box during Newcastle’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool.

Staveley, who was a guest of someone connected to Newcastle rather than Liverpool, as previously reported, is also understood to have met manager Rafa Benítez. At this stage, her interest can be best described as tentative, although Newcastle supporters are already hoping this is the first step towards Ashley's departure.