According to talkSPORT’s Jim White, Rafa Benitez is on the brink of becoming Everton manager, and Newcastle United fans reckon it could spell the end of their club’s prospective takeover.

Being told Rafa Benitez tonight on the brink of becoming @Everton manager after more talks today.

— Jim White (@JimWhite) June 16, 2021

PCP Capital Partners owner Amanda Staveley wants the Spaniard back at St. James’ Park should Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund’s £300 million takeover go through, but that managerial plan has been dealt a major blow.

Given Benitez’s close ties with those in the know concerning the potential change of ownership at Newcastle, his decision to move to Everton could mean that Magpies chairman Mike Ashley is not leaving SJP anytime soon.

A lot of Toons fans think so, with some of them taking to micro-blogging site Twitter to react.

Below is a selection of some of them:

It doesn’t mean the takeover is off but it does mean it’s long way off a resolution. Rafa has contacts within the consortium and if it was anywhere close to a conclusion, you get the impression he’d have waited.

— NUFC360 (@NUFC360) June 16, 2021

#NUFCTakeover off

— Vladimir Savic (@vsavic1977) June 16, 2021

There is no takeover happening ANY time in the next 12-24 months this is almost confirmation