We may have to sell before we can buy, says Benitez

TOON BOSS’S WORRYING CONFESSION

RAFA Benitez has revealed Newcastle United are likely to have to sell to buy to bring in the rest of their summer transfer targets.

The Magpies have banked £10million for Mikel Merino and could also net a further £25million for Aleksandar Mitrovic and Chancel Mbemba.

Benitez is desperately trying to bring in a striker in the last three weeks of the window.

However, the Toon boss admits his hands could be tied when it comes to bidding for top players.

He said: “It is not necessary to say anything. As soon as the price goes a little high I know we cannot buy them.

“We have to be realistic, maybe sell some players and buy some players.

“It is normal for us to think we have to be like that. The point for us is we have to adapt.

“That is the situation. Are we happy with that?

“Not 100% but we try to do our best to be strong enough and we can compete.”

Benitez met the media at Carton House yesterday and addressed several issues, including Matt Ritchie’s link with Stoke City.

It is believed only the arrival of Andros Townsend from Crystal Palace will signal an exit for the Scotland winger (pictured right).

Ritchie is at United’s Ireland training camp and Benitez now says he has no interest in selling to the Potters.

He added: “We are in the same position as last year.

“He is our player and we don’t want to sell him.

“To do a movement, too many things will have to happen at the same time.

“I was talking to him this morning and I don’t see any change in the situation.”

Benitez thought he would be losing Isaac Hayden – who is wanted by Brighton.

Hayden wants to leave for personal reasons but the manager is now talking to the player with a view to trying to keep him. He said: “We will try our best to help him in his situation.

“We will also do our best to protect the team because we need players and he is a player we have a lot of trust in.”

On his own future, Benitez said: “I have been here four years and I committed my future when I decided to stay in the Championship.

“We won the Championship and are now in the Premier League after one year.

We had a great season last year so we saw enough commitment.

“Now we have to wait to see if we can challenge for a higher position or challenge for trophies.

“We have to wait to see what we are capable of doing.”

We have to be realistic - maybe sell some players and buy some players. The point is we have to adapt Rafa Benitez