The Chronicle

Not time to rue tough luck in cup

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for Jorgensen would be nothing more than an indication of how Newcastle have scrimped and saved during the Mike Ashley era.

Even a fee of £20m would simply be the going rate for a player yet to play in England from a European league.

Southampto­n showed the neccesity to pay that going rate when handing over £19.2m for Monaco’s Guido Carrillo.

The reality is if Newcastle want to stay afloat as a Premier League club - as well as continue to expect more than £300m for a club sale price - then they are going to have to cough up this month.

Behind the scenes, Benitez is not looking to smash the record and bring in a player who is going to threaten club goalscorin­g records.

Of course, it would be nice if Jorgensen - who has netted 28 goals in 46 appearance­s in Holland’s Eredivisie turns out to be a massive hit for Newcastle.

Yet Benitez is merely asking the next striker to sign on the dotted line to do a job in the next 14 games and score the goals that steer the club to safety.

The summer should bring an increased spending pot and, while Jorgensen would be considered a part of Benitez’s plans going forward, the transfer record should be broken again soon if Mike Ashley is serious about taking the club on.

Surely, United fans would not have to wait another 13 years for the record to be smashed again?

Thati s why Newcastle initially looked to Daniel Sturridge and Danny Ings of Liverpool with the big question being whether they would be able to stay fit enough between now and May in order to deliver for the Magpies.

If Jorgensen is the man for Newcastle then he should start life at St James’ Park with a clean slate.

Newcastle do not have a great recent record of signing players from Holland with the De Jong brothers failing to capture the imaginatio­n at St James’ Park and even Gini Wijnaldum’s sale to Liverpool for £25mclassed as good business in the end as he went missing on away games.

However, Benitez must have seen something which makes him think he can do the job for the Magpies and it is now up to managing-director Lee Charnley to get the job done and complete the deal.

 ??  ?? Southampto­n paid £19.2m for Monaco’s Guido Carrillo – it is simply the going rate RAFA Benitez says Newcastle United cannot afford to feel sorry for themselves in Sunday’s FA Cup fourth-round clash at Stamford Bridge.
Hopes of a cup run were dented...
Southampto­n paid £19.2m for Monaco’s Guido Carrillo – it is simply the going rate RAFA Benitez says Newcastle United cannot afford to feel sorry for themselves in Sunday’s FA Cup fourth-round clash at Stamford Bridge. Hopes of a cup run were dented...

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