Rafa: Toon can reach new level

RAFA BENITEz says Newcastle United are not reaching their potential under Mike Ashley and new ownership could take the club to another level.

They were officially put up for sale this week and Sportsmail reported on Thursday that financier Amanda staveley and her investment company PCP Capital Partners — backed by money from the Middle East and China — had mounted a £300million approach. They have now entered the process of due diligence and, like Ashley, would be keen to complete a deal before Christmas.

Benitez yesterday appeared excited at the prospect of new investment. ‘This is one of the top sides in England if you put everything together. The question is, is it reaching its level? obviously, no. Can we do it? I think so,’ said the spaniard, whose side are ninth in the Premier League ahead of today’s visit of Crystal Palace.

‘I think we can do better. This club has to be in the top 10. The potential is there. I decided to stay because the potential of the club, the city, it is massive.

‘But we have to do everything right. It’s not just if you have money, you have to have the right players with the right mentality coming here.’

Benitez is already looking ahead to January and, should a takeover go through before the end of the year, there is a strong chance he could be armed with significant transfer funds. He said: ‘We are working on different names and different levels. It is early but we have been working hard. We will have the targets identified.’