With Christian Atsu and Florian Lejeune currently Newcastle United’s only new arrivals, Rafa Benitez has spoken of his intention to spend on signings.
Rafa Benitez has called for Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley to spend money in the transfer market as they wait on a third signing of the summer.
Newcastle have brought in Christian Atsu and Florian Lejeune so far in the window, but the Chronicle report that Benitez is keen on further business in the coming weeks.
They claim the Magpies are looking to bring in both Jacob Murphy and Sheyi Ojo as wide options, with talks ongoing for both players.
However, manager Benitez has now addressed the media for the first time this summer, suggesting he is still waiting on Ashley’s permission to push on with business.
“When I had the meeting with Mike Ashley I was confident that after that meeting we have the money available and the wages,” he said, in quotes reported by the Chronicle.
“Everything is in place to move forward. Hopefully, Mike can keep his word and we can do what we want to do.”
Benitez is referring to a post-season meeting, shortly after Newcastle’s Championship title win, following which the club released a statement where Ashley promised “every last penny that the club generates” to the manager.
This announcement, after Atsu’s signing, was followed by numerous reports suggesting Benitez was becoming frustrated with the club’s slow business.
Lejeune was signed, too, but the Daily Mail reported that the failure to bring in another winger was the cause of the manager’s ire.
With Murphy still yet to sign from Norwich City, Benitez’s latest comments send a clear message to Ashley and the Newcastle board to get the work done between now and the season opener against Tottenham Hotspur.
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