TOON CAN BE MASSIVE’

RAFA BENITEZ insists Newcastle United is THE club to buy in world football.

The Spanish boss has issued a powerful message to would-be investors – revealing the Geordies can be transformed into a “top-six club with massive potential”.

Last week Mike Ashley (right) admitted, yet again, that he wanted to sell up to let a “more popular owner” start afresh.

Benitez sounds like the perfect sales pitch, saying Toon can become regulars on the European stage with the right plans. And he reckons a new supremo at the helm means they will be mentioned “in the same breath” as his former clubs Liverpool, Inter, Napoli and Real Madrid.

Ashley, who is looking for a £325million sale, could not have asked for a more powerful advert than the one from his boss.

Europe

Asked if he understood why buyers would be interested in Newcastle, Benitez said: “Yes, 100 per cent. It is very clear it has the potential to be one of the top sides.

“Doing the right things at the right time, you have the potential to be in the top eight, top six, easily, and to go to Europe. I think so.

“I can see the great potential. You don’t have too many big cities around with massive clubs. It’s a great opportunity.

“If I am here, it’s because I can see this potential.

“I have experience in different countries and big cities. You go to Madrid, you have four or five teams at the maximum level, you go to Milan and it’s the same.

“The North East is an area with great potential.”