The good news in the Chronicle is that Mike Ashley is confident he can get Rafa Benitez to sign a new contract at Newcastle.
And since we expect Newcastle United to get as much as £125M next month from the Premier League, there should be plenty of money to spend this summer.
However, while the report is that Mike Ashley will back Rafa this summer in the transfer window, he will continue to want Newcastle to balance the books and live within their means – and there’s nothing wrong with that.
Rafa Benitez – Mike Ashley will back manager this summer
We just have more “means” than ever before in our history.
With Newcastle back in the Premier League and currently in the top half of the table there should be ample money to spend in the transfer window – as long as Mike Ashley releases the funds.
It will undoubtedly be more than Rafa has ever had at the club, and he will also be selling some players such as Aleksandar Mitrovic, Chancel Mbemba, Henri Saivet, and Jack Colback and he can use those transfer funds to bring in other players.
It would be stupid for Ashley not to support Rafa this summer, but it’s looking like he will help him for the first time in four transfer windows.
That’s excellent news.
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17 comments so far
SuperShearer
Apr 26, 2018 at 8:31 AM
Comment #1I mean, we’ve been trying to sell Colback for about 18 months now and he’s still here so I wouldn’t bank on getting rid of him anytime soon… unless his contract is up?
DutchontheToon
Apr 26, 2018 at 8:34 AM
Comment #2Two paragraphs spring to mind:
“There should be plenty of money to spend this summer”.
“As long as Mike Ashley releases the funds”.
Rafa about to get sucked in yet again. Cashley SELL UP AND GO
Bigjim67
Apr 26, 2018 at 8:34 AM
Comment #3I will believe it when i see money being spent on quality players, i think any potential sale of the club this summer may persuade Ashley to pocket what he feels the club “owe him” ie the interest free loan. Hope I’m wrong but just don’t trust the man.
posada
Apr 26, 2018 at 8:42 AM
Comment #4We will get no money for Colback or Saivet.
The club will have to pay them to leave if they want rid.
Possibly the same with Sels.
posada
Apr 26, 2018 at 8:44 AM
Comment #5125M.
What’s the wage bill now ?
RobLeenio
Apr 26, 2018 at 8:49 AM
Comment #6This Chronicle story is full of nothing. The only quote in there is Ashley’s from last Summer – “cannot and will not” release funds to compete with Man City.
Always thought that was missing the point, we don’t expect that kind of funding, just a realistic amount within an agreed budget to allow Rafa to upgrade his squad. If he is able to do that consistently over a few years, we will be challenging for Europe and cups and, with a fair wind behind us, will be able to beat anyone on our day.
This is all Rafa wants also – if we can guarantee him this (and he will look for guarantees) then he will stay.
Apologies for speaking for us all, but I haven’t ever heard anything contrary to that from any (sane) Newcastle fan
Mag52
Apr 26, 2018 at 8:49 AM
Comment #7Much as I dislike and distrust Mike Ashley, surely, by he law of averages, he will make a right decision occasionally during his ownership of NUFC.
He made one when he appointed Rafa. This summer’s transfer window could be another.
Ben Afri
Apr 26, 2018 at 8:59 AM
Comment #8Mag52
I hope your law of averages theory is true. Although, 50 times bitten, 51 times shy for most of us
one fine day
Apr 26, 2018 at 9:09 AM
Comment #9Exciting news Ed?
Opened it up from newsnow thinking it would be that ash was close to selling up…..
More of the same then ?
Mag52
Apr 26, 2018 at 9:13 AM
Comment #10Ben Afri.
I know what you mean.
DubaiMicky
Apr 26, 2018 at 9:31 AM
Comment #11RobLeenio, well said marra.
Sav
Apr 26, 2018 at 10:01 AM
Comment #12If Rafa settles for a modest 60 million, will fans start getting on his back when results go awry? Will the honeymoon be over? We’d all love to see Mashley on his knees to keep Rafa and offering all the income for redevelopment and a shiny new strike force etc. But it isn’t going to happen.
lesh
Apr 26, 2018 at 10:23 AM
Comment #13Ed
I’m surprised you’ve fallen for this report. It’s utter tosh that’s been put out by Bullchit Bishop to counter Rafa’s well publicised desire that Ashley shares his ambition fir the club.
Based on his track record, Ashley cannot be trusted to deliver.
ArtyH
Apr 26, 2018 at 10:54 AM
Comment #14Folk need to wise up, we have no future under the FCB, he has to go.
Geordie-john
Apr 26, 2018 at 10:57 AM
Comment #15Will Wearside Jack go back home to them ? Nah Nobody’s that daft LOL
ash1001
Apr 26, 2018 at 3:06 PM
Comment #16Thanks for the update on the Big C Ed, hope things continue as they are, well done.
Not an Ashley lover by any means, but lets cut the guy a bit of slack if Rafa does not see the fruits of all this season’s hard work, then hopefully he will tell us, if he agrees to a new contract, that’s a big positive +, and a massive step in the right direction, so the forked tongue of Ashley might just for once be a straight one.
toonluvva
Apr 26, 2018 at 8:19 PM
Comment #17I hope that Mr Ashley does back Rafa in the summer transfer window.
But I also hope that no mention of the amount of money is leaked to the press. Let Rafa wheel and deal without potential sellers pushing up the price.
I also wonder if business can be conducted quietly whilst the world cup is on.
HWTL