NO DEAL

Toon takeover talk all a ‘waste of time’

RAFA BENITEZ’S Newcastle future has been thrown into fresh doubt after the dramatic collapse of £300million takeover talks.

Furious Mike Ashley (right) last night hit out at Amanda Staveley – accusing the Yorkshire financier’s PCP Capital Partners of wasting his time after the Sports Direct billionaire was forced to go back to square one in his bid to sell the

club. This development has been met with dismay by Benitez, who had welcomed Staveley’s attempts to end Ashley’s turbulent decade in charge at St James’ Park.

The Spanish coach now faces a prolonged spell working under Toon’s hugely unpopular owner. Ashley is stalling over the release of desperately-needed funds this month to boost Newcastle’s fight to avoid an immediate return to the Championship.

Now supporters are worried Benitez could walk away.

Ashley called an abrupt end to two months of talks with Staveley (right, watching Toon’s home game with Liverpool) and her MiddleEast backed consortium.

A source close to the club owner said: “It’s only right to let the fans know that there is no deal on the table, or even under discussion with Amanda Staveley and PCP. Attempts to reach a deal have proved to be exhaustive, frustrating and a complete waste of time.”

PCP Partners were last night unavailable for comment.

A second Dubai-based group are monitoring the situation, but they are worried over the club’s top-flight future.