‘We need our players’ – Benitez on Newcastle selling to buy in January

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Rafa Benitez talks about Newcastle having to sell players before buying new ones in the January transfer window.

Rafael Benitez, manager of Newcastle United, arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match against Leicester City.

Rafa Benitez says Newcastle United do not have to sell players in order to buy new ones in the upcoming January transfer window.

Several names have already been linked with exits from St James’ Park in the New Year, including Rolando Aarons and Aleksandar Mitrovic, but the Magpies manager wants to keep hold of the members of his current squad.

Aleksandar Mitrovic of Newcastle United arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match against Leicester City.

“At the moment we aren’t thinking about selling anybody because we need our players,” Benitez told the Chronicle.

“I don’t know how much money will be available or what we will do.

“We have to be sure that this group of players continue to work as hard as they are doing at the moment.

“If we can bring in some positions or some help, we will do it.

“But to do that, sometimes you don’t need to sell players to be sure you can attract the others.”

Rafael Benitez, manager of Newcastle United, arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match against Leicester City.

This is a change in tact from the summer as Newcastle prepared for their return to the Premier League after winning the Championship title at the first time of asking.

The Telegraph reported at the time that Benitez had been tasked with balancing the books, meaning he had to offload unwanted players before his new targets could be signed.

This led to an unsatisfactory window for the Spaniard and the fans as 14 departed the club, of which nine were permanent, for a total of £13.5m but in their place there were only six new arrivals at a cost of £27m – as outlined by the Telegraph.

Only Stoke City spent less in the top flight of English football and January now represents the best opportunity for Benitez to get the Toon up to the required standard.