Newcastle’s proposed takeover has hit the skids to the dismay of fans.
Newcastle United legend Shay Given has sent a bitterly honest warning to Toon owner Mike Ashley win an interview with the Chronicle; the club must bring in new players this month or they will suffer relegation.
It has been widely reported that a proposed takeover of the Tyneside club by Amanda Staveley’s PCP Capital Partners has hit the skids, with Ashley ending talks as the two parties were struggling to come to an agreement.
In the meantime, Rafa Benitez is still unsure of his transfer budget this month and that is preventing the Spaniard from signing players at St. James’ Park – something that frustrated the former Real Madrid manager in the summer.
Former Magpies goalkeeper Given, who joined Manchester City from the Toon in 2009, claimed the Toon would struggle in the Premier League without signings before previewing Saturday’s clash between two of his former sides.
“We want the club to be sold to move on and these new people come in and say we’ve got ‘X’ amount to spend, but the days are going by and the windows closing in a few weeks, time is almost out,” Given said.
“Rafa himself said they need strengthening and if they don’t it could be a long, difficult season for them to stay in the Premier League.
“On paper, you think it’ll be a home victory but knowing Rafa Benitez and how well he sets them up, they’ll come here and sit deep and expect Manchester City to break that defensive block down.”
Despite the off-field interruptions, Benitez’s men have been in decent form of late, winning three of their last six encounters including two Premier League victories over Stoke City and West Ham, as well as an FA Cup win over Luton.
However, Benitez will surely find it difficult to stop the devastating Man City attack when the Toon travel to the Etihad on Saturday, with City expected to get back to winning ways.
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