Mike Ashley responds to takeover rumours – and delivers good news to Rafa Benitez – Report

According to reports in the Chronicle, Mike Ashley has admitted to being ‘frustrated’ over the latest takeover reports – with him also telling Rafa Benitez that he WILL be backed in January.

Now, this does suggest that there may have been a bid of some sort, but either it was well below the asking price or just not a serious offer – something Amanda Staveley and PCP Capital Partners were accused of after Ashley branded talks as a complete ‘waste of time’.

Starting with Ashley’s response to the takeover talk, here’s what the Chronicle have had to say:

“It has emerged that Ashley has grown frustrated by the amount of reports linking the club with a new owner – not least because he is yet to receive a credible bid.

‘’ Talk that Ashley had been in the US for talks with a new consortium last week proved to be unfounded with club sources indicating he had stepped foot in America for some time.’’

Unfortunately, this perhaps shows just how far we are away from a takeover, however it is also reported that he is ready to BACK Rafa in the upcoming January window with enough funds to strengthen the squad – athough it is unclear how much money he will be given.

‘Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley is understood to have sanctioned funds for the Magpies’ January transfer window activity.

‘It remains to be seen how much Ashley is prepared to plough into Rafa Benitez’s squad when the winter trading period opens up for business and much will depend on United’s Premier League position – and there is no doubt that some supporters remain sceptical of United’s operations.

‘The news is a clear sign that Ashley is getting on with the job after failing to find a buyer for the club he put up for sale 13 months ago.’

This has been promised before and he hasn’t produced the goods, so understandably this will probably be taken with a pinch of salt by most fans.

If he DOES back Rafa then it probably puts to bed any talk of a takeover , but also be his fear of a potential relegation and the financial implications that come with that. Time will tell.

(Fancy writing for us? Send any articles/ideas over to us at [email protected] & we’ll get back to you!)

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