Florian’s feet will do the talking
LACK OF ENGLISH WON’T STOP RAFA PUTTING NEW BOY AT HEART OF DEFENCE
NEWCASTLE United are now just one month away from the start of the Premier League season – and it’s fair to say that things aren’t going as planned as far as the summer transfer window is concerned.
Rafa Benitez spoke briefly to the local media this week and admitted the market right now is “a little bit crazy” as prices soar and Newcastle stall to get deals completed.
Frustration is slowly turning to anger for some supporters as United struggle to bolster their numbers while some of their Premier League rivals flourish during the summer trading period.
But Newcastle aren’t alone in the top flight as they struggle to get a spate of deals in the bag.
West Ham, Tottenham Hotspur, Stoke City, Southampton, Crystal Palace, Chelsea, Burnley and Brighton have hardly covered themselves in glory so far.
Everton are the team that have impressed the most while Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester City have spent well.
Then there’s play-off winners Huddersfield Town who have splashed the cash to bring in Aaron Mooy, Tom Ince and £11million Montpellier striker Steve Mounie. So where’s the money gone at Newcastle United?
Well, the Magpies have already spent around £15million of their budget by bringing in Christian Atsu permanently and luring Florian Lejeune from Eibar.
How much United really have to spend is a well-guarded secret and the club are hardly going to broadcast what’s in the summer kitty.
After winning promotion sources at St James’ Park never expected to have more than £100million to spend on players this summer.
There are currently limited – not low – funds to spend at United, but supporters want to see that invested sooner rather than later.
It’s worth remembering Mike Ashley’s words in a rare statement back in May.
Back then he said: “I’ve confirmed to Rafa and Lee that they can have every last penny that the club generates through promotion, player sales and other means in order to build for next season.” Operating costs must also be considered, but the cash at Newcastle hasn’t dried up completely and they will spend more soon. One of the big issues to have hit United – and other clubs – is the fact asking prices between Premier League clubs have soared this summer. In fact, some teams have taken a couple of steps back this week after being quoted some astronomical fees.
Leicester City were one of them after bidding £40million for Gylfi Sigurdsson only to be told the price was £50million.
This week Newcastle have pushed for deals to get a new winger over the line and an £8million offer for Jacob Murphy of Norwich City was knocked back. It means that an intense six-week run-in towards deadline now awaits us.
What happens next will be interesting because while clubs are demanding what many would regard as silly money for certain players, it leaves a clutch of agents stamping their feet as they try to find their client a new club and earn themselves an agent fee. In short, something has to give and even though Newcastle and other clubs intended to do their business early they could now end up completing some deals next month. The good news is in Benitez, Newcastle have a boss who is pushing for new players every single day.
Frustration is slowly turning to anger for some supporters as United struggle to bolster their numbers