Newcastle United's prospective new owners have reportedly made former Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino their number one managerial target if the takeover is completed.

A Saudi-backed consortium is closing in on the £300m purchase of the Magpies, although the bid depends on whether they pass the Premier League's fit and proper person test.

Newcastle have been linked with a host of star players while the takeover is pending, and the new owners are also reportedly planning to bring in a high-profile manager.

Sky Sports News reports that current boss Steve Bruce will stay in charge for the rest of the season but that Pochettino will take over at the end of the campaign if Newcastle get their man.

The Magpies are reportedly willing to pay Pochettino a £19m-a-year salary to entice him to St James' Park, while reappointing former boss Rafael Benitez is their back-up plan.

Pochettino has been out of work since being sacked by Spurs in November, just five months after leading the club to the Champions League final.