Rafael Benitez shares what Newcastle United's players think of Mike Ashley's interview

Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley has suggested that the club could change hands in the near future.

Newcastle United Manager Rafael Benitez during the Premier League Match between Newcastle Unite and West Ham United on December 1, 2018, in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.

Rafael Benitez has told the Shields Gazette that a number of Newcastle United’s players won’t even know that Mike Ashley has done an interview.

Ashley suggested earlier this week that Newcastle were on the verge of a takeover.

There is hope that the Magpies could have a new owner before the start of the January transfer window.

But Benitez insists that Newcastle’s players won’t be distracted by the comments, as a large quantity of their players pay no attention to the media.

He said: “You have some players here who have been here more years, players who know England and they have friends around.

“But the foreign players, half of them I’m sure are not watching the TV – and probably didn’t even know Mike did an interview.”

Newcastle United Manager Rafael Benitez during the Newcastle United Training Session at The Newcastle United Training Centre on November 28, 2018, in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.

Ashley’s comments have sparked tentative excitement at Newcastle, as there have been calls for change for years.

Newcastle have been in similar positions before, only for takeover deals to collapse though.

Newcastle are next in action later this evening, when they take on Everton at Goodison Park, in what looks like it could be a tough test for Benitez’s side.

Rafael Benitez the head coach