Alan Shearer says that Newcastle United need to show ambition in the summer transfer window. He suggests that the club must sign eight new players.
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez during the press conference
Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer says the Magpies need to show high ambitions in the summer transfer window.
The Tyneside side club has backed manager Rafael Benitez so far, a reason why he has stayed on, but Shearer believes that major reinforcements are required now that they have gained the Premier League status.
Shearer, while writing his regular column for The Sun, notes that Benitez would not want to go into the next season knowing he has a squad that will be involved in a relegation dogfight all season.
Newcastle have a great opportunity to once again establish themselves as a powerful force in the Premier League. The first step will be to secure a mid-table position.
The former Newcastle striker believes that in order to do so Benitez would require a minimum of £150m investment on players.
Shearer also adds that the squad needs a massive overhaul and that Benitez would be requiring as many as eight new signings.
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez
“As soon as promotion was confirmed and Rafa refused to commit his future to Tyneside, I had to worry. Quite simply, he needs about eight new players just to turn Newcastle into a mid-table Premier League team,” wrote Shearer for The Sun.
“Benitez won’t want to go into next season knowing he has a squad only good enough for a relegation scrap. He won’t have it. There is a huge opportunity here for Newcastle to establish themselves again as a top-flight force.
“But he now needs, at the minimum, a £150million investment in new players.
“And I am not convinced that will happen.”
Benitez is a high profile manager who has earned success with clubs like Valencia, Chelsea, Liverpool and Napoli.
He can build a strong foundation at Newcastle and bring back old glories at this iconic club. It remains to be seen whether Mike Ashley backs him with funds in the summer.
General view outside St James’ Park
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