Newcastle United could have the budget to make full scale alterations to their team this summer.
Mike Ashley was prepared to offer Rafael Benitez £60 million to spend to stay at Newcastle, and he is apparently willing to offer the same budget to whoever takes over at St. James’ Park.
With Newcastle also set to sell Ayoze Perez to Leicester City for £30 million and Isaac Hayden for £15 million, the whole of the money made from these transfers is said to be set to go back into the Magpies’ transfer budget.
It could make the Newcastle job look far more appealing, as that sort of transfer budget would enable a new manager to make full scale alterations to his side.
The reports must also be treated with some scepticism though, as Newcastle have never spent so lavishly in the past.
Benitez bemoaned Newcastle’s lack of ambition in the transfer market during his stay at St. James’ Park, and was always wanting more money to spend.
It would, therefore, be slightly ironic if Newcastle did start to release the pursestrings now the popular manager has left.
Whoever takes over at Newcastle will have to spend, as their squad now looks desperately short in attacking areas.
When Perez goes, Newcastle will have lost their top two scorers from last season, after Salomon Rondon’s loan expired.
And signing a new striker is likely to be right at the top of Newcastle’s next manager’s wishlist.
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