The Chronicle revealed yesterday that Rafa Benitez’ transfer funds for this summer will only be around £40M and in addition whatever the manager can get from selling some of the players who are now surplus to requirements.
Rafa wanted the transfer system changed significantly this summer so that Newcastle can move a lot more quickly to get their transfer targets to the club.
Last summer showed Newcastle could lose out on targets simply because they tend to drag things out with transfer negotiations – much like is happening now with Rafa Benitez and his new potential contract.
Rafa Benitez – not getting the control he needs
And Lee Charnley is still to go between to Mike Ashley and the owner still decides who Rafa can buy and who he cannot buy – if the player is too expensive.
Rafa wants full control of how he will spend the transfer funds but it doesn’t look like he will get that capability.
And Justin Barnes is still the financial man that Ashley has in place at the club to keep tabs on the general finances of the club
So with Rafa wanting vast changes made to the club, it doesn’t appear that Mike Ashley is willing to change much at all.
We do expect Rafa to stay for the final year of his contract, but If Mike Ashley doesn’t change things then it could be difficult for Benitez to stay on at Newcastle.
With little money available it seems that Rafa has to look at players like West Brom striker Salomon Rondon, who is an average striker and hardly excites Newcastle fans.
And while Rafa wanted players brought in quickly this summer apparently Newcastle have not bid for any players yet; that’s according to the Chronicle Q&A report yesterday.
Mike Ashley seems to be determined to keep things much the same at Newcastle and if that’s the case, it could (will) lead to Rafa preferring not to stay at Newcastle.
There are other clubs where Rafa will not have his hands tied behind his back but he will actually get support from the hierarchy.
That doesn’t seem to be the case at Newcastle.
If the Chronicle report is accurate this is not good news at all.
Comments welcome.
18 comments so far
ilovetoon8788
Jun 14, 2018 at 8:54 AM
Comment #1Fact. we are the only club in the premier league that has not officially made a bid for a SINGLE player.
Happy days ahead!
ilovetoon8788
Jun 14, 2018 at 8:56 AM
Comment #2Under Ashley, we are can’t even compete with the like of mighty Wolves & Cardiff in the transfer market.
loololol
Veltman
Jun 14, 2018 at 8:58 AM
Comment #3Someone mentioned Valon Berisha,couldn’t remember who,is one of the players I want us to sign myself, along with that Lille Mfdr Maia. Could be another Merino.Couple of bargain buys I would like to see.Mariano Diaz or Alassane Plea for striker department instead of the likes of paceless Bas Dost,Rondon etc..
And hoping someone from the championship takes Joselu off the squad.
DubaiMicky
Jun 14, 2018 at 8:59 AM
Comment #4In the last 8 seasons we’ve been in the PL we’ve had Spurs x2, Arsenal, Man City x2, Man Utd x2 as our 1st game. Coincidence? I think not.
I’m going for one of the Manc teams away.
DubaiMicky
Jun 14, 2018 at 9:00 AM
Comment #5Or Spurs at home.
DubaiMicky
Jun 14, 2018 at 9:02 AM
Comment #6https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DfowdFiXUAA3ePx.jpg:large
Full list, 5 of last season’s top 6 in first 8 games.
RUNAWAY777
Jun 14, 2018 at 9:05 AM
Comment #7Spuds home could be the best time to play them first game.
jazzyp
Jun 14, 2018 at 9:06 AM
Comment #8Oh well get the hard games out of the way first boys.
And as for not a single bid on any player yet?? Find that hard to believe even by Ashleys standards
lesh
Jun 14, 2018 at 9:08 AM
Comment #9Ashley’s sure as hell trying to sicken Rafa to the point of provoking him to walk sooner rather than later. He’ll either have a replacement in mind or have someone sounded out. Heaven forefend the headline announcing the return of Pardew!
One side of me says Rafa should go now and screw Ashley and the club but the other makes me hope that Rafa has the strength to tolerate Ashley’s stupidity, see the season out by scraping survival and walking with his head held high.
Ashley was very fortunate that Rafa, a world class manager saw potential in Newcastle United but being the owner he is, he clearly won’t help Rafa, or anyone else for that matter, realise that potential.
If Ashley has an interest in furthering his retail or property interests, can we hope that he needs £300m in cash, urgently.
G
Jun 14, 2018 at 9:09 AM
Comment #10Oh well, so much for my prediction. Right team, but wrong location.
Pottsclock
Jun 14, 2018 at 9:10 AM
Comment #11I’d rather play the top clubs early and before they get into the swing of things. There’s usually a few surprises against top teams in the early matches. It hopefully also means the run-in at the end is easier and less pressure if needed.
G
Jun 14, 2018 at 9:14 AM
Comment #12Lets hope Shelveys had a quick chat with his counsellor before this one eh?
Pottsclock
Jun 14, 2018 at 9:17 AM
Comment #13“If the Chronicle report is accurate this is not good news at all.”
That’s a whopping if.
Mr Funk
Jun 14, 2018 at 9:28 AM
Comment #14I really hope that if Rafa leaves NUFC he does an interview that fully explains what is exactly is happening in NUFC That would be the best FU to Ashely
Sav
Jun 14, 2018 at 9:45 AM
Comment #15If Raga hasn’t been signed up to an extension by August fans must stage protest. This chance won’t come around again. It is a make or break showdown between fans and Ashley. If we don’t, the next manager will be a total lapdog. He’d have to be. Don’t anyone say they didn’t know or have never missed a kick off. Its time the fans took a hand.
Doontoon
Jun 14, 2018 at 10:28 AM
Comment #16As in the past few transfer windows I don’t believe anyone knows who, or if, we’ve bid on anyone. We’ll not know until signings are made as they tend to keep business (whether that’s good or bad) a closely guarded secret.
I take all the rumours and speculation with a pinch of salt.
BANDWBURNABY
Jun 14, 2018 at 2:51 PM
Comment #17A normal person who owns a sport team wants nothing but the best for his team. Unfortunately at Newcastle we have an owner who no matter how many billions he has always wants more for himself. Its a no brainer to sign Raffa & use his skills to better the team. That would obviously need the investing of funds in players, something fatty will always be very reluctant to do. I think Raffa will find out this year what a low life & a lying snake he is & leave at end of season. After fatty pockets another 100 mil from surviving the E.P.L. the whole saga will start again
stuart no9
Jun 14, 2018 at 10:25 PM
Comment #18Sav , 100% agree . The fans need to show our disgust to Ashley . I think the reason he is still here is because weve allowed him to do exactly what he wanted to . I know people say the team comes first but, where has that got us in the last 10 years ? Absolutly no where . It just dosnt work . Time for a change if tactic or we will lose raffa , simple as that