Less than a year ago, Newcastle United were watching out for teams at the bottom end of the Premier League. Now, they are cheering on Manchester City slip ups and enjoying a vested interest in takeover sagas regarding their 'Big Six' rivals.
Newcastle are contenders in the eyes of City boss Pep Guardiola but may encounter slightly more resistance on their journey to top should the struggling Manchester United return to their previous glory days with owners who actually about the club in charge.
That is now a real possibility with the Glazer family expected to formally announce its intention to examine potential sources of outside investment, that could see a full-blown sale of the Premier League giants.
READ MORE: The Big Newcastle United Forum: Your views on Eddie Howe, January transfers and the ownership
The American owners have a reputation similar to Mike Ashley during his tumultuous time on Tyneside. Years of decline on the pitch, failed signings, lack of investment in the stadium and training ground infrastructure and a lack of communication with the fanbase.
So who could realistically buy the club? Britain's richest man Sir Jim Ratcliffe is the early front-runner, while there will undoubtedly be interest from the middle east. Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund had long been linked with the Old Trafford outfit before purchasing Newcastle, with the Magpies chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan alluding to the fact a minority offer could have been on the table in recent years.
Speaking to Radio Eight in October, Al-Rumayyan said: "Before Newcastle we had offers from Italy, France and also the UK. One UK club offered us 30 per cent for £700m and without any management."
A revived Red Devils could be a concern for Newcastle as they try to upset the apple cart by dismantling the 'Big Six' as we know it. There is a feeling Eddie Howe's side can realistically match this current Manchester United side on the pitch, and finish above them this season.
Liverpool are another club poised to change ownership with Fenway Sports Group (FSG) open to shifting the Merseyside outfit to a suitable bidder. Liverpool can offer potential buyers a lot of things that Newcastle can't, including established global appeal, European history and a manager who has won almost every trophy available to him over the years.
Forbes values the Merseyside outfit at £3.5bn. A host of wealthy individuals, hedge funds, corporations and more may well fancy taking the reins at Anfield for that price.
As for Newcastle, their takeover looks more and more like a bargain with each passing day. The ownership arrived expecting results but will be shocked by how quick Howe has transformed the previously struggling outfit.
There will be one eye on what happens in Manchester over the coming months as Newcastle and the ownership weigh up how much of a threat a new-look Man United could be to their aspirations in the future.
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