DARREN Eales says Newcastle United hope to be able to provide some clarity on their plans for the future of St James' Park in the "near future" - but has reiterated the need for patience, with club chiefs unwilling to rush what they know is a "huge decision".

A Saudi delegation - headed by club chairman Yasir al-Rumayyan - jetted into Tyneside at the end of last month and bosses were involved in a club summit as talks over whether Newcastle are to renovate their famous ground or move into a new state-of-the-art stadium continue.

National reports last month claimed Newcastle are leaning towards the option of building a new stadium rather than a complicated extension to their current home.

Eales, Newcastle's chief executive, said on Tuesday: “We’ve looked at the feasibility of what is possible and that is what we are narrowing down."

If Newcastle did move to a new stadium, it would be on land adjacent to their St James’ Park home and it's thought the capacity would be just under £70,000. It's said the cost of the construction of the new stadium would be £1.2bn.

But the Magpies would benefit in the long run. Club accounts released on Tuesday revealed Newcastle's revenue soared by £70m in the 12-month period up to June, 2024.

But Newcastle chiefs need to drive further income so they can close the gap on clubs such as Liverpool and Manchester City.

If they were to extend St James' Park, they would increase the capacity up beyond the 60,000 mark.

It's a decision Eales knows the Magpies have to get right.

He said: "Firstly we appreciate your patience on this matter. It's a huge decision for the club, something we've spoken about being a once in a generation decision. It's something we want to get right.

"Having lived it at Tottenham, Atlanta (his previous clubs) there's a lot of work that goes on in the background to be able to make the correct decision. It's a bit like the swan: there's furious scurrying going on in the background.

"I think we're at a situation where we did the initial feasibility, we followed that up, we've discussed it with our ownership and we want to make sure we have got everything right, all our ducks in a row.

"We said that we'd talk with the fans and the Fan Advisory Board. But this is an opportunity and the ownership is very much looking to make this investment.

"We just want to make sure it's the right investment, strategically for the club, the city, the region and that takes us doing a lot of work, due diligence and making sure at the right time that we go to those external stakeholders as well and get everyone aligned.

"We're looking to get something done in the near future but I can't really say anymore than that. Work is going on and I think you've seen it from just the general discussions we've had it is something we're taking very seriously because it's a hugely important decision."

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Eales continued: "It goes back to the ambition of the ownership and the ambition of this club and what we want from all of us, which is to be a club that's competing there at the top level, in Europe and in the Premier League.

"We have to find some way to increase that capacity of the stadium, whether that's a new build or a refurbishment of St James' Park, to get us to those levels of revenue that we need to be able to compete in this PSR or squad cost environment.

"Also we've got this massive demand so we want to get more people to be able to watch Newcastle United."

When it was put to Eales that there's a growing likelihood that Newcastle will choose the new stadium option, he said: "As we look at all the factors, that is the big decision we have got.

"Part of that is feasibility building wise, feasibility of making sure, from a fan perspective, we take everybody on the journey.

"What we're narrowing down now is which of those is the best option in the long term for the club. But also bearing in mind, we know how important Newcastle is to the city and the region, if we get it right it is something that not only benefits the club but the wider region. That is part of it.

"We don’t want to rush and do something that in 20 years’ time, we think, if we had spent a bit more time, that would have had a bigger impact.

"That is the analysis we are going through at the moment to make sure we come out with the best possible way for everybody."