Hello and welcome to the Newcastle United live blog for Sunday, January 21.
Mike Ashley walked away from takeover talks with Amanda Staveley and PCP Capital Partners after talks proved to be 'exhaustive'.
It is a blow for Newcastle fans, but the club remains on the market and the search for a new buyer continues.
Nonetheless, Benitez has been 'given the green light' to bring in up to three new recruits in what is a critical fortnight for the club.
We'll have the latest on the takeover and also all of the January transfer rumours that are starting to stack up. Meanwhile, on the pitch, we will have all of the fallout from Newcastle's 3-1 defeat to Man City yesterday.
As ever we want to hear from you, so please send us your thoughts over Facebook at www.facebook.com/chroniclenufc/ or on Twitter at @ChronicleNUFC.
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Newcastle United takeover is off
Key Events
McClaren on Sanchez
Former Newcastle manager Steve McClaren has warned Alexis Sanchez’s wages could create dressing-room disharmony at Manchester United.
Sanchez is expected to complete his move to Old Trafford from Arsenal tomorrow, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan moving in the opposite direction.
The 29-year-old Chile forward is set to become United’s best-paid player, with some reports putting his salary at £400,000 per week.
“That is the danger in the modern game and the problem I find in clubs,” said McClaren, the former England manager and Sir Alex Ferguson’s assistant when Man United won then treble in 1999.
“Wage parity is very important to players. Yes, they find out - at all levels - and if someone is paid a lot higher than others that can cause a problem.
“In the short term I don’t see a problem, but in the long term for Manchester United they will have to solve that problem.
“If he (Sanchez) is on the wages that is being bandied about then other players will know that when their contracts come up or they are in demand from other clubs.
“The others will be looking at renegotiation next season or the season after and getting to that (wage) level if they think they are at that level.”
Video: Game in stats
Only one stat matters though
Moments you might have missed
Plenty going on at the Etihad
Shearer explains
The rest of the country sometimes don’t seem to get why NUFC fans want to see a change in ownership.
So Alan Shearer couldn’t have put it better on MotD last night.
Jacob Murphy
A bit of research paid off for Jacob Murphy yesterday - here’s how
WATCH: Lee Ryder's verdict on City defeat
Here’s the thoughts of chief sports writer Lee
Watford reasons for sacking Silva
Watford said Everton’s approach for Silva had been “the catalyst” for this decision.
“(The approach) is something which the board believes has seen a significant deterioration in both focus and results to the point where the long-term future of Watford FC has been jeopardised,” the statement added.
“For the security and success of the football club, the board believes it has to make a change.
“The club will seek to make a swift appointment and there will be no further comment until that appointment has been made.”
Chelsea want Slimani
It was only a few weeks ago that Newcastle were being linked with a move for Leicester’s out-of-favour striker Islam Slimani.
But now Chelsea are reported to be keen on taking the Algerian ON LOAN.
Antonio Conte wants more presence up front and has been linked with a move for Andy Carroll and Peter Crouch already this window.
And now he seems keen on the man Leicester paid Sporting Lisbon £26.5m for in 2016.
Watford sack Silva
Watford have sacked manager Marco Silva, the club have announced.
The Portuguese had been a target for Everton earlier in the campaign after an excellent start, but a run of one win in 11 matches has now cost him his job.
A statement from the club read: “This has been a difficult decision and one not taken lightly. The club is convinced the appointment of Silva was the right one and had it not been for the unwarranted approach by a Premier League rival for his services we would have continued to prosper under his leadership.”
Is anyone listening
The message is the same from everyone
The table
How the Premier League looks ahead of today’s games
Pep on NUFC
The Man City boss was pleased with his side’s reaction to Newcastle’s goal yesterday:
“It was important how we reacted at 2-1, we didn’t panic.
“It’s not how many goals you score, it’s how many chances you create, it’s how many chances your keeper has to save.”
Mitrovic link
The Sun on Sunday are linking West Brom with a move for Newcastle striker Aleksandar Mitrovic.
Alan Pardew is reportedly interested in the Serbian striker, but the Magpies will want to hold out for around £15m.
Lampard verdict
Just back Rafa
Ashley backing?
Interesting line from the Mirror this morning suggesting MIke Ashley WILL back Rafa Benitez in the transfer market.
After takeover talks with Amanda Staveley and her PCP Partners Group seemingly broke down, the Newcastle manager has been left somewhat in limbo over his January budget.
But there are suggestions Ashley will allow Benitez to spend “what it takes to keep Newcastle in the Premier League”.
How much is that? We’ll find out over the next 10 days.
The stats from last night. . .
Were you at the game?
Some cracking pics.
BT Sport presenter has a message for Mike. . .
It’s a simple message really.
What did we learn last night?
Chris Waugh has five things here. . .
Rafa Benitez on transfers. . .
He sounds positive but will Kenedy arrive on Tyneside?
Good morning!
Hope you had a lovely Saturday evening! Now it wasn’t the result we wanted last night but there were plenty of positives.