Newcastle latest news: Toon’s goalkeeper star Rob Elliot admits takeover interest is exciting for everyone
IT is the talk of the Toon — and even Newcastle’s players are getting caught up in the frenzy.
Magpies fans have been jumping for joy since owner Mike Ashley announced last week he is trying to sell up.
And excitement levels went through the roof when Amanda Staveley signed a non-disclosure agreement over the potential purchase of the club.
At the same time, Rafa Benitez had called for full focus from his squad.
And Newcastle, while nowhere near their best, adhered to their manager’s message to see off Premier League basement boys Crystal Palace on Saturday.
But there is no escaping the one thing dominating the thoughts of all on Tyneside right now.
And Toon’s longest-serving star Rob Elliot admits he too is dreaming about what a change of ownership could mean for the club.
Staveley, whose PCP Capital Partners firm looks after £28billion of Middle East money, is actually just one of a handful of investors taking a serious look at Newcastle.
INGS ARE HOTTING UP Newcastle chasing Liverpool striker Danny Ings in January loan deal, along with THREE other Premier League clubs
And keeper Elliot, who joined from Charlton six years ago, said: “There is obviously interest, which is exciting for everyone.
“Hopefully someone comes in who can take the club forward, which will be great.
“Hopefully it’s a great thing for the club all round, so the club can kick on.
“As players we can’t do a lot about it, we just watch the telly and read the papers like everyone else. But we just hope everything works out for the club.
Palace’s James McArthur nodded Matt Ritchie’s corner on to the head of the Spanish midfielder and the ball sailed over keeper Julian Speroni and into the net.
Still, the nature of the winner mattered little for boss Benitez, who is delighted with his team’s start to the season.
Asked if this was an exciting time at high- flying Newcastle, he replied: “Yes, I feel like it’s important to realise where we were and where we are.
“We were relegated and we have come back from the Championship. So to be where we are in the Premier League, every fan, every player and every member of staff needs to remember that the way we have done this is by working hard and sticking together.”