BREAKING: Benitez makes telling admission on the takeover front following talks with Mike Ashley

Speaking to the press today for the first time since Tuesday’s crushing takeover announcement, Rafa Benitez has admitted that Mike Ashley told him ‘2-3 weeks ago’ that a deal with Amanda Staveley wasn’t happening – claiming they are now focusing on working together to sign players this month.

Not what we wanted to hear, but nothing we didn’t come to expect – Ashley did say that talks with Staveley and PCP were over on Tuesday, but her comments in the Times suggest she’s not giving up.

Here’s what Rafa’s had to say in the last few moments:

“Mike Ashley told me the takeover (with PCP) would not go through, that was 2-3 weeks ago.

“But he told me we would work together to try & get players in the transfer window. We have targets & we are trying to progress”

“We are in the situation. Nothing coming in or going out.”

Rafa then expanded on transfers, suggesting the club are now aware of the prices of certain targets so have no excuse not to get deals done:

 “It’s not an issue because if we have three or four names – and the club has the names – it’s just to be sure we go through, we sign the players… and they know they can do it because they know the prices of the players, too.”

My question would be this –  If Ashley knew two or three weeks ago that the takeover wasn’t happening, why are we now in the final third of the January transfer window having still not signed anyone? Why’s is taken this long? Why does Rafa still not know if anyone’s coming in.

Back to Rafa’s presser, here’s a few other bits he’s had to say today, starting with his response to questions about his future in light of this week’s takeover news:

Benitez then delivered this message to the fans, believing we are clever enough to realise what needs to happen from here on out:

Rafa also commented on the Aaron Lennon link, refusing to get drawn in by names due to the amount of players linked to NUFC a daily basis:

Thoughts??

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

About Olly Hawkins

As a Junior Magpie since birth and season ticket holder, I eat, sleep and breathe all things NUFC! Here at the blog, I aim to bring you news, views, match reports and transfer exclusives as and when I get them.

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