Rafa Benitez is hoping to strengthen his Newcastle United squad during the January transfer window.
After a bright start to the season for the Magpies, the campaign has unravelled ever so slightly in recent weeks. Their defeat to Chelsea at the weekend was the fifth time in their last six games that they have lost, and their only win since the end of September came against Crystal Palace.
Benitez’s men now find themselves three places and five points clear of the bottom three, and with the Christmas fixtures now ahead, it may not be out of the question to suggest that their situation may look worse by the time the window opens.
Unsurprisingly, the Newcastle boss is already making plans for January – with the Daily Mirror reporting that he is planning to ask for a budget of £20 million.
In fairness to Benitez, there are some clubs who do not tend to even spend less than £20 million on one first-team player any longer, so it would appear that he is not asking for a ridiculous amount by any means, and spending that kind of money would undoubtedly be worthwhile if it helps ensure that the Magpies stay in the top flight.
One player who may help the club raise some additional funds, according to the Mirror, is Aleksandar Mitrovic, with Benitez only prepared to let him leave if a permanent bid worth more than £10 million comes in for the striker.
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