Newcastle United have so far enjoyed a quiet summer, with just one signing to speak of.
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez
A report in the Daily Mirror has suggested that Rafa Benitez has been left extremely frustrated by Newcastle’s lack of activity during the summer transfer window so far.
The Magpies are gearing up for their return to the Premier League, and the fans may have been expecting a significant amount of money to have been spent by now with Benitez receiving assurances that he would have plenty of funds to invest in the squad following their Championship title win (via Mirror).
However, with June approaching its end, Christian Atsu – who spent last season at St James’ Park on loan – remains the only permanent acquisition, while the Mirror reports that they have missed out on targets Tammy Abraham and Willy Caballero.
Meanwhile, the Mirror adds that a deal for Florian Lejeune has stalled over the fee despite the fact that the Eibar defender has an £8.7 million release clause in his contract.
The Mirror also suggests that Benitez has been left less than happy about the fact that a number of existing first-team stars have not been offered contracts despite him wanting them to be rewarded for their efforts during the previous campaign.
Newcastle have reportedly missed out on Tammy Abraham
Newcastle fans will be desperately hoping that the club’s hierarchy begin to appease the Spaniard by investing in the squad as it would surely be the last thing they would need if Benitez’s frustration led to him deciding to walk away.
Benitez’s appointment and decisions to stay at St James’ Park has widely been accepted to be some of the best things to happen to the club in recent years, and majority of the supporters would surely be furious if the club had to find a new manager ahead of their top flight return.
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