Newcastle United are still waiting for a first January signing.
Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez has told The Independent that he didn’t expect to have a meeting with Mike Ashley after the win over Cardiff City.
The Magpies beat Cardiff 3-0 that day, but were then knocked out of the FA Cup by Watford on Saturday afternoon in a disappointing showing.
Newcastle remarkably remain without a single signing this month, despite clearly needing reinforcements to ensure their Premier League status.
A left back and a playmaker should be the bare minimum for Newcastle this month, but with just over 48 hours of the transfer window to go, movement appears slow.
That’s because there is something of a stalemate at St James’ Park; Benitez won’t sign a new deal until he is backed with signings, and owner Ashley doesn’t want to spend on new signings until Benitez commits to a new deal.
Neither have budged on a situation that was clear even last summer, and if Newcastle are to strike any deals this month, it will have to be a last-gasp trolley dash.
Benitez has now revealed that Ashley came into his office after the Cardiff game for an impromptu meeting, with Benitez admitting he ‘didn’t expect it’.
However, the Spaniard gave a brutally honest verdict on the talks, noting that it changed nothing and the club know his ideas already, with spending no more or less likely after the talks.
“It didn’t change anything,” said Benitez. “You just have more ideas. It’s exactly the same position. I didn’t expect it (the meeting) but always, he’s the owner, he can do what he wants. I’m a professional and I’m fine. I know what I’m trying to do. They know my ideas. That’s it,” he added.
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