Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez was aware a few weeks ago that Amanda Staveley's takeover of Newcastle would not happen in January.

Owner Mike Ashley ended £250m takeover talks this week after Staveley's PCP Capital Partners group failed to match his valuation of the club.

"I knew three or four weeks ago when I was talking with Mike Ashley," said Benitez. "He told me that the takeover will not go through [this month].

"So, for me, this has changed nothing."

The Spaniard added: "Since then, we have been working on our targets in the transfer window.

"It's not an issue because if we have three or four names - and the club has the names - it's just to be sure we go through, we sign the players.

"In terms of the transfer window, we have targets, we have names and we are trying to progress."