Benitez reduces transfer hopes

Underlying tensions behind the scenes at Newcastle United have resurfaced after Rafa Benitez revealed he has lowered his expectations for summer transfer dealings.

The Spaniard confirmed he chose not to watch a rare recent television interview given by Mike Ashley, in which the Newcastle owner revealed he will not be putting any more money into the club, and also underlined a readiness to sell his controlling interest.

“It hasn’t changed anything,” the manager said of Ashley’s appearance on Sky, which was aired after the pair failed to meet up after Sunday’s 2-0 home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.

Benitez had earlier urged Ashley to keep a promise that he could have “every penny the club generates” to bolster his squad. The former Real Madrid and Liverpool coach has rarely seen his employer, but referring to a previous meeting, he added: “He knows what he told me, and what I was thinking. I know more or less what he said in the TV interview.”

Lee Charnley, the club’s managing director, is the main communication link between the two. Benitez added: “Was I surprised he [Ashley] left without us speaking on Sunday? Not really. I’ve dealt with Lee for this last year and a half and I don’t need much contact if I have Lee there. Believe me, it [the interview] doesn’t change anything in terms of my approach.

“I know what he said and I know what the fans think about the interview. I can keep talking about it, but I will not change anything.”

Newcastle have invested a little over £30million on six players since winning the Championship title in May, a figure that has seen them outspent by the likes of Huddersfield, who host the Tynesiders tomorrow.