Newcastle United are reportedly interesting in handing West Bromwich Albion striker Salomon Rondon a new chance in the Premier League.
What more can Rafa Benitez really do to convince Newcastle United to back him?
The Spaniard pulled off a minor miracle by guiding the Magpies to a top half finish last season despite a galling lack of investment in either of the last two transfer windows. And Benitez has publically called for more backing as he aims to drag Newcastle back into the good time.
Speaking to the Independent, Benitez rallied for the club to break their 15-year-old transfer record on a new centre-forward. And it seemed that owner Mike Ashley was finally willing to make life easier for his manager, promising that funds would be available.
Rondon’s £16 million release clause is common knowledge but it is understood that personal terms and signing-on fees would raise the cost of the deal. And The Chronicle reports that Benitez only has a budget of £40 million to spend on new players.
As such, even a rather limited striker with a very average goalscoring record, 24 in 108 Premier League games, could be beyond Newcastle’s means. No wonder the fans are once again worrying about the future of their manager.
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