Newcastle United have allegedly moved closer to appointing Mauricio Pochettino as their new manager.

Despite the increasingly likelihood of a Saudi Arabia-based consortium completing a takeover of the Magpies, it has been reported that Steve Bruce would be given a chance to impress the new owners.

However, according to Le 10 Sport, it appears that Pochettino could soon replace Bruce in the dugout at the Premier League outfit.

With the Argentine interested in the position, the report claims that negotiations have already progressed to an 'advanced stage'.

Although Pochettino has a close affinity with former club Tottenham Hotspur, the 48-year-old has previously acknowledged that he would be prepared to take another role in England's top flight.

Former Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez is said to remain an alternative if the deal breaks down.