Rafa Benitez and his representatives were unaware of takeover talks between Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nehayan, according to Sky Sports journalist Pete Graves.
Ashley and Sheikh Khaled are engaging in talks over a potential £350million deal to for Newcastle, with the potential for the club to be taken over this summer by the Dubai billionaire, according to The Sun.
However, writing on his official Twitter account Graves suggested that Benitez, who is in talks with the club about his own future, and his representatives were not aware of the ownership talks.
OPINION
It is interesting to know that Benitez and his camp were not aware that Ashley was engaging in the new talks over the potential sale of Newcastle to Shiekh Khaled. Benitez is currently engaging in talks with the club’s board regarding his own future at St James’ Park and would be wanting to know who the potential owner of the club is going to be next season if he remains in charge. It is thought the Spaniard is looking to be given guarantees over the club’s transfer policy if he is to commit his future to the club. However, if he is being kept out of things like ownership talks that could potentially put him off committing his future to the club. Although now his team are aware that Ashley is engaging in talks over selling the club, it could potentially make the Spaniard more likely to want to remain in charge next season. Newcastle supporters will be hoping that Ashley manages to agree a sale of the club, but that he does not damage discussions with Benitez by not keeping the Spaniard in the know about the club’s future ownership.
