Where would Rafa like to splash the cash in summer spending spree?
FULL-BACKS AND STRIKERS ON BENITEZ WISHLIST
RAFA Benitez is set to be handed a competitive transfer kitty by Newcastle United as the club finally get to spend some of the TV riches that will come their way this summer.
The Magpies were left to spend the money generated from winning promotion and the partial broadcast funds picked up from their short stay in the Sky Bet Championship last year, but Benitez was never confident that it would be enough.
Indeed, the fact that United had to bring in three players on loan in January shows that more back-up and more quality was needed after a moderate window in August.
However, Benitez will roll out his plans for a new recruitment drive at the end of the season, and this time will hope he’s backed thoroughly as he looks for a less turbulent campaign in the top flight.
Here’s where Benitez could look to make improvements this summer.
GOALKEEPER
This is an interesting department for the Magpies with Matz Sels currently on loan to Anderlecht and likely to be sold if the club receives a reasonable cash bid.
Sels was a £5.9m purchase from KAA Gent in 2016 and if Newcastle get close to that he will leave St James’ Park. Talk of Karl Darlow getting a new deal has gone quiet, with the former Nottingham Forest keeper likely to want first-team football. Rob Elliot is tied down to a long-term deal and is happy to battle for his place, while Newcastle are eager to complete a deal Martin for fee Dubravka with already a set Prague. with arranged Freddie Sparta another will Aberdeen return Woodman want from loan will but move as reserve team football is no longer considered an option for the youngster.
Dubravka could start the season as No 1 but Benitez likes to keep competition for his goalies healthy so don’t be surprised when the club are linked with more goalkeepers this summer.
One name that won’t be on the list is Pepe Reina, who has already signed a bumper wage deal with AC Milan ahead of his Napoli exit.
FULL-BACKS
Jesus are leaving Gamez Newcastle and Massadio this Haidara summer and Benitez will want more cover on both sides of his back four. DeAndre Yedlin is rightly considered the first choice but Benitez is keen to beef up the competition at right-back where Javier Manquillo has offered some cover for both the US international and also Paul Dummett at left-back. dispute Manquillo was used while Dummett was the injured Geordie but is currently nobody first can choice. But with very little in the way of back-up coming through the reserves in these positions, it’s important that Newcastle improve this area over the summer.
Luke Shaw has been linked in the past but could prove to be too expensive while another previous player linked with a move to Tyneside is Matt Targett of Southampton but Fulham are already keen on making his loan deal into a permanent transfer.
Achraf Lazaar is due back from a bad loan move at Benevento but he could be sold to raise more funds for transfers.
MIDFIELD
Newcastle are quite strong in the centre of midfield with Jonjo Shelvey and Mo Diame holding their own in the engine room at the moment with Isaac Hayden and Mikel Merino also in the squad as back-up.
Newcastle will also look to move on Jack Colback from the club’s wage bill and potentially bring in a young central midfielder to compete with the first team.
It is out wide where Benitez is looking to make a difference this