RAFA TRANSFER PLEA TO ASHLEY
RAFA BENITEZ has warned Newcastle owner Mike Ashley he must spend money in January if he wants to protect the value of a takeover deal. Ashley and financier Amanda Staveley met in London this week to discuss her bid to buy the club. No agreement was reached and the offer from Staveley and PCP Capital Partners is still £250million. Ashley is holding out for £300m and has claimed a rival bidder is prepared to pay £320m. But Benitez has warned Ashley the club’s value will fall if they are relegated. ‘It is very simple,’ he said. ‘You have to be sure that your team are strong enough to stay in the Premier League. I want someone to write the cheques.’