Rafa Benitez wants £20m to spend on new players for Newcastle in January. If he doesn’t get it could he seriously walk?
Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez.
Rafa Benitez is keen to improve four positions at Newcastle United in the January transfer window and wants at least £20m of funds to help achieve that, reports the Mirror.
A new striker, number ten and left-back are priorities, while Benitez is also looking at goalkeeping options as the Magpies’ form continues to slide.
Eden Hazard of Chelsea celebrates after scoring his side’s first goal during the Premier League match against Newcastle United.
The North East side have now not won in their last six Premier League matches, losing 3-1 to Chelsea in their latest outing, and have suffered defeat in five of those games to drop to 15th in the table and five points outside the relegation zone.
This is why Benitez wants more funds, but having been promised £70m last summer and actually only spending £13.5m net (Telegraph) once departures are taken into account, the Spaniard has been left frustrated before.
The 57-year-old’s future at St James’ Park was cast into doubt immediately after the summer window had closed, the Telegraph reported at the time, and although he did not consider walking the Newcastle boss had become disillusioned with working conditions under owner Mike Ashley.
Mike Ashley, owner of Newcastle United, and Lee Charnley, managing director of Newcastle United, both look on from the stands.
Ashley’s proposed sale of the club could also affect any cash given to Benitez for new signings, but there is a risk that another window with no incoming players could push the former Chelsea, Liverpool and Real Madrid coach to his limits.
In the current financial climate in football £20m is not a huge amount by any means and if it is the difference between their manager considering his future or not, surely it should be made available if at all possible?
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