Newcastle icon reveals extended Benitez transfer missions – blasts senior Magpies figure
Former Newcastle United striker Micky Quinn has revealed that manager Rafael Benitez has been embarking on extended transfer missions across Europe in blasting the club’s owner Mike Ashley.
The January transfer window has been dubbed by both fans and pundits as crucial to the Magpies’ hopes of Premier League survival this season, although they have managed to find themselves sitting 13th after just one game in 2018.
Benitez was vocal about his frustrations over the club’s inability to secure his top targets during the summer transfer market, which saw just six deals through the door at St James’ Park, and has insisted the club spend on reinforcing the squad further in the current window.
Newcastle icon Quinn has revealed that he knows the Spanish manager has been jetting across Europe with his scouting team to source the top talent, but has slammed owner Ashley for his lack of support towards the winter window, claiming that Benitez is yet to be told his transfer budget.
Writing a column for the Chronicle, Quinn said: “I know for a fact that Rafa and his scouting team have been scouring Europe in search of players he believes can improve his squad. But is he going to be given the finances to sign them?
“It’s a farcical situation and it just proves once again that it is best for everyone that Ashley sells up this year and gets out of the club. It leaves Rafa Benitez in an almost impossible position.
“It’s a joke – it really is. He needs to let Rafa know his exact budget – and as soon as possible.”
Newcastle saw off Stoke City 1-0 in their first game of the new year, and face Luton Town in the FA Cup on Saturday, which could well see Benitez rest some of the club’s first team stars after the busy festive period.
In other Newcastle United transfer news, the club are set to offload a striker in a surprise January deal.
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