Newcastle United are understood to be interested in bringing Ajax’s Argentine World Cup defender Nicolas Tagliafico to the Premier League.
Back in May, after Newcastle United beat Chelsea 3-0 on the final day to seal their place in the Premier League top ten, owner Mike Ashley said this;
“I’ve confirmed to Rafa (Benitez) and Lee (Charnley) that they can have every last penny that the club generates through promotion, player sales and other means in order to build for next season.”
Flash forward almost three months, however, and the Magpies have made only four new signings this summer: one on loan, one for free and the other two costing a combined £7 million.
And reports in the Chronicle are now claiming that Newcastle cannot even afford a modestly priced left-back. It is reported that Benitez is a fan of Ajax’s Argentine international Nicolas Tagliafico, who would be a much more attacking alternative to the defensively-minded Paul Dummett.
But the Chronicle adds that his £8 million price-tag and the demands of Tagliafico’s agent could push any deal out of Newcastle’s reach. And it rather sums up the desperate situation this grand old club find themselves in with a week to go in the transfer market.
Benitez has managed to raise around £40 million through the sales of Aleksandar Mitrovic, Mikel Merino, Matz Sels and Chancel Mbemba, but £8 million still seems to be beyond their means.
As expected, the Newcastle fans are venting their fury once again, and with good reason.
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