A French group are having second thoughts about a bid for Newcastle United.

A new consortium was understood to be preparing to rival the Bin Zayed Group who announced last month that they had come to terms with owner Mike Ashley, says The Sun.

The French group had been in the process of trying to move in instead but are now having second thoughts after Rafa Benitez walked away.

They believed that under the guidance of the Spaniard Newcastle were an attractive proposition.

But his contract expires today with Ashley searching for a new boss and possibly without an alternative offer for the club he is determined to sell.