Benitez frustration grows as Newcastle set to lose more top targets

By Harry Sykes

Despite a swift return to the Premier League after one season in the Championship, it seems that all is not well at St James' Park.

Reports of manager Rafa Benitez's frustrations at the lack of transfer activity have surfaced again, with the Mail claiming the Spanish boss is unhappy at Newcastle's "poor business".

The latest deals that Benitez is struggling to get over the line include an £8million offer for Norwich winger Jacon Murphy.

Their Championship rivals have said that the player is not for sale and Mail sources claim it's unlikely to progress further.

The Mail also claims that Newcastle have given up on Liverpool's Sheyi Ojo as his demands are too high, and that a move for Adama Traore is unlikely to go through as Middlesbrough value him at £15million.

Another player linked with Newcastle was Jesus Navas but the Mail report that "there is no chance" that he will sign with Newcastle, and he is instead returning to Spain.

These latest transfer mis-steps come on the back of reported Benitez frustration over failing to land Tammy Abraham, who chose to go to Swansea, and Man City goalkeeper Willy Caballero, who went to Chelsea.

Benitez was reportedly made very angry with these two transfers in particular, as one was a loan (Abraham) and the other was free (Caballero) so there was no need for negotiations over fees.

Newcastle travel to Ireland on a pre-season tour at the weekend and it's looking likely that Florian Lejeune will be the only new player on the coach – he joined from Eibar for £8.7million last week.

In other Newcastle transfer news, the Magpies have been installed as favourites to sign this midfielder with PL experience.