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Rafa Benitez has distanced himself from the Everton vacancy and said he is “happy” at Newcastle United – a move that should also pour cold water on talk of West Ham’s interest in appointing the Spaniard.

It was claimed that Benitez had actually turned down an approach from the Toffees before Ronald Koeman’s departure on Monday and there have been claims that he is one of the managers being monitored by the Everton board.

Similarly, Slaven Bilic’s precarious position at West Ham has also worried Newcastle fans in the past – with Benitez understood to be a favourite of the Hammers’ board, who tried to appoint him before he took the Real Madrid.

(Image: PA)

The fact is Benitez’s apparent unhappiness at Newcastle’s summer transfer business has dissolved since September, not least because of the very real prospect of Mike Ashley selling up and new owners providing him with more of a foundation to build on his early success at St James’ Park. A takeover fronted by Amanda Staveley and backed by Gulf money is in the process of due diligence along with a number of other groups who are aiming to tie up a quick sale. Benitez – though publicly reticent to talk – is being kept updated on progress.

And the manager – who did say last week that he is excited by the prospect of a potential takeover at Newcastle – has reiterated his commitment to United, who stand seventh in the table ahead of the trip to Burnley on Monday.

“I read in the press and heard people talking, but I am happy here. I am concentrating on this, I don’t like to talk about rumours,” he said in an upbeat press conference on Friday afternoon.

“The reality, obviously, is that my family is in Liverpool, but my past was Liverpool (football club). Everton is a great club. I’m not saying I’m interested, I’m saying I’m happy here and want to concentrate on Newcastle and try to do my best here.”

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A fresh round of takeover talk swept the city on Thursday night with well-sourced claims from the Gulf Staveley values Newcastle at £300million and is backed by both Gulf and Chinese money.

But no announcement is imminent and there will have to be an agreement on price with Mike Ashley, who is adamant there is other interest in the club. Benitez, who has met Staveley, says his focus remains entirely on football.

He said: “No, nothing (to say). I said before that we are not talking too much about that and I think some players have said the same. We are not talking about that, we are just concentrating on trying to prepare for the games.”

United head to Turf Moor on Monday to face another team currently achieving ahead of expectations. But Burnley’s impressive start has been down to their away form this time, with their form at home more patchy.

Newcastle – who welcome Dwight Gayle back – hope to secure another away scalp but Benitez is not getting carried away: “I am happy with the start but not because I was not expecting the team to do well, it’s because maybe you were expecting the other teams to do better, and then you could be in another position.

“But as I said before, we have had some games in which maybe we deserved even more, some games where we could have conceded, but we have have chances in some games to get more points, so it could be even better.

“I am really pleased with our position, but still, I think we have to wait until January to be jumping because we are very happy.”