Staveley reportedly ups Newcastle takeover bid

Cape Town - Newcastle may soon change ownership with reports surfacing that PCP Capital Partners' representative Amanda Staveley has increased their takeover bid.

The Sky Sports website has reported that the initial bid of £250 million has now been increased by Staveley to around £300m, in the hope of convincing current Magpies owner Mike Ashley to sell.

While the negotiations behind the scenes continue, the on-field performances have been on the decline over recent weeks, with the Toon slipping to 16th position after losing 3-2 to Leicester City.

Their next Premier League fixture is a home game against Everton on Wednesday night, and manager Rafa Benitez insists his players have not been distracted by the potential takeover.

"The reality is that we are not winning but I do not think it is because of that," Benitez was quoted as saying by the Daily Star.

"If we beat Everton, everybody will say it is not affecting things."