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Benitez delivers shock transfer update when probed over Newcastle's January business
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has made the shock reveal that he is still unaware of how much he has to spend in the January transfer market despite being nearly a week in.
The winter window opened on the turn of the New Year, allowing clubs to reinforce their squads as well as offload any dead weight they may have.
After an abysmal run of form which left the Magpies facing a relegation battle, Benitez was vocal about the need to bring in new players to improve the quality available to him, having suffered a frustrating time during the summer transfer window.
The Spanish boss saw just five new faces, plus a permanent deal for on-loan winger Christian Atsu, through the door at St James’ Park before September, which lead him to publicly state his anger at the club’s inability to secure his top targets.
Four months on, and with speculation of a potential takeover circling the club, Benitez has stated he still does not what his transfer budget is, an update will shock and anger Newcastle fans.
When probed on the club’s transfer business by journalists, Benitez was quoted by the Chronicle as stating: “We had a meeting last week but I am waiting for an answer.
“We don’t talk about names. I don’t know exactly what is our budget, so I don’t have any news.
“We have to keep working, make sure we have our targets, but all I can do is prepare for the game (v Luton).”
The Magpies did not bring any reinforcements in during the January window of 2017, while two years ago Jonjo Shelvey and Andros Townsend joined in an unsuccessful bid to stave off the threat of relegation.
In other Newcastle United transfer news, the club have held talks over securing the return of a former attacking star.