Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez looks on from the touchline

Benitez confirms Newcastle transfer talks after double January claims

Fri 22 December 2017 14:25, UK

Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has confirmed that the club are in talks over potential moves in the January transfer window but refuted that any deals had been made or bids had been received.

The Magpies are expected to have a busy winter window following their disastrous run of form which has left the club languishing in the relegation zone, Benitez himself having spoken out about the need for reinforcements to boost the quality of the squad.

Recent reports in the Daily Mail have claimed that the club have agreed a loan deal with Chelsea for fleet footed left back Kenedy prior to the opening of the window, while the same publication stated on Friday that West Brom and Newcastle had held talks over the sale of Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic.

However Benitez was quick to rebuff these claims when probed by journalists at his press conference for the West Ham clash, instead insisting that discussions were ongoing and enquiries have been made, but there had been no bids made or submitted for their own stars.

He was quoted by the Chronicle’s Chris Waugh via his personal Twitter account as saying: “In terms of the transfer window, we don’t have any agreement with anyone.

“We are progressing & trying to make things happen. But I don’t know the budget I have, whether players need to go first yet, or what.

“We have not received a financial offer for any of our players yet. People may have been ‘asking’ about some of our players, but we don’t have firm offers.”