Football Association chairman David Triesman has launched a double-pronged challenge to the Premier League by calling on England’s top flight to hand over more cash to the rest of the game and for a ban on transfers of players under 18.

Two “very serious” contenders to buy Newcastle have emerged and could be in possession of the club by January, according to Keith Harris, chairman of investment bank Seymour Pierce and the man tasked with selling the club.

Two “very serious” contenders have emerged as possible buyers of Newcastle, it was revealed today.