Transfer plans hit by sky-high wage demands

NEWCASTLE United’s snail-paced recruitment drive in the transfer window is being compounded by wage demands of certain targets.

Toon boss Rafa Benitez, who hopes to sign Stoke City’s Joselu and Chelsea’s Kenedy (pictured

below) in the coming days, has been looking into the possibility of bringing both Lucas Perez and Kieran Gibbs to St James’ Park.

United chiefs, though, are reluctant to pay any incoming players more than Newcastle’s current top earner Jonjo Shelvey – who earns £70,000 per week before bonuses.

Perez’s wages have resulted in Deportivo La Coruna struggling to get a deal over the line with the player demanding more than £70,000 per week, while Gibbs’ move to Watford last week stalled because he wanted £80,000 per week.

The Chronicle also understands Newcastle missed out on Sandro Ramirez – who signed for Everton earlier in the summer – despite being prepared to meet his £5.2 million release clause with Malaga.

It is believed United baulked at Ramirez’s demands of £120,000 per week while Tammy Abraham’s move to Tyneside also fell through due to demands for agent fees resulting in his switch to Swansea City.

Newcastle’s failure to offload Emmanuel Riviere, who picks up £45,000 per week, and Henri Saivet, on £35,000 per week, is hardly helping Benitez’s case.

Benitez was less vocal about transfers on Sunday night during his press conference just seven days on from declaring a public interest in Perez.

After the 2-0 loss to Spurs, Benitez said: “The situation is the same as we had before the game, so it does not change too much.

“We knew what we needed and we know what we need.”

Benitez was also asked if he would be meeting with Mike Ashley after the game, to which he replied: “I don’t know.”

However, it has now emerged Ashley left St James’ Park without holding a conversation with Benitez after the game.

Newcastle’s limited financial resources have left the Spaniard scraping around lower-budget targets and loans.