Newcastle transfer latest: Benitez wants to sign five players from ‘the top sides’
By Abigail Withey
Rafa Benitez has revealed his focus for Newcastle United’s recruitment during the closing weeks of the transfer window.
The Toon manager has aired his frustrations surrounding the club’s transfer inactivity throughout the summer and found it difficult to strengthen his squad ahead of their return to the Premier League.
Newcastle struggled to make an impact in the opening weeks of the window, but have currently made a total of four permanent signings in addition to a loan deal.
Jacob Murphy, Florian Lejeune, Javier Manquillo and Christian Atsu were all made permanent additions, while defensive midfielder Mikel Merino has moved to St. James’ Park for a season-long loan.
Benitez has clearly stated that the club need to sign a new striker before the transfer window closes at the end of August in order to install competition within the squad.
He said: “If you see the squad, it’s obvious that we need a striker. We needed to bring some players in some positions to have competition.”
“Dwight was doing really well last year,” Benitez explained, and was quoted by the Chronicle. “But it’s another level and we have to see if he can replicate something similar in the Premier League. We need competition in each position.”
The Magpies boss has also said that he is interested in a number of top players, but his budget will not allow him to pursue them.
“It’s very simple,” the former Liverpool boss said. “If you’re asking me which players you want, I can tell you four or five players in the top sides.”
“We cannot sign these players. Trying to be realistic, sometimes you go to the market and you have a target. If you cannot get this for different reasons…we are where we are.
“If we can bring in a more expensive player, we will do it. If we cannot, (we will get) another one and make sure they can give us something different.”
The Tyneside club has been linked with pursuing Arsenal forward Lucas Perez over previous weeks, and with the boss desperate for a new striker, the Gunners flop could be heading to St. James’ Park soon.
In other Newcastle news, Benitez is set to omit this 2015/16 mainstay from his 25-man squad.
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