Hutchison claims Ashley wants Newcastle boss Benitez out

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Mike Ashley has confirmed that Newcastle’s impending takeover has hit the skids.

Former Everton and West Ham United midfielder Don Hutchison has claimed on Twitter that he “wouldn’t be surprised” if Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley wanted Rafa Benitez off the wage bill.

BBC Sport reported Ashley, owner of Newcastle for a decade, has told Amanda Staveley and her PCP Capital Partners that a deal is off as the latter could not meet his valuation of the Tyneside club.

The news was met with a huge backlash from Newcastle fans, with supporters continually angry that Ashley has failed to back manager Benitez in the summer following the Toon’s promotion or indeed this month – so far.

Hutchison, who is now a pundit with ESPN, claimed it would not be of shock to him if Ashley wanted to remove Benitez from the wage bill at St. James’ Park before describing the club as a “shambles”.

Newcastle are yet to complete a signing this month with Benitez repeatedly stating that he does not know what his transfer budget is for January. They need additions in goal, at left-back, central midfield, number 10, on the flanks and up front.

All eyes will be on Benitez and Ashley on Sunday afternoon as the Toon face Manchester City in the Premier League at the Etihad, with the Toon looking to pull off an unlikely result after City lost their first game of the season last time out.