Benitez: Newcastle United can attract new additions
RAFA BELIEVES HE CAN STILL DRAW IN THE BIG NAMES IN JANUARY’S TRANSFER WINDOW
Rafa Benitez believes he can attract the right players to Newcastle United in the January transfer window.
Benitez wants to strengthen his squad in the New Year to stave off the threat of relegation.
Newcastle are third-bottom of the Premier League ahead of this evening’s game against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Benitez and his players met owner Mike Ashley for a meal this week.
And United’s manager – who signed Kenedy and Martin Dubravka last January – is confident he can persuade players to join the club in the window if he’s given the right backing.
“I’m very realistic – I know January is a difficult window,” said Benitez. “At the same time, you’re having meetings with scouts and are working on that.
“It’s difficult, because a lot of players are involved in Europe, and it will not be easy for us to bring them here.
“At the same time, it’s a nice city, a good place, fantastic fans, and it’s an opportunity for players to come to the Premier League and show everyone they can do a job here.
“I’m quite optimistic, but at the same time realistic.”
Ashley reportedly told Benitez and his players on Wednesday night that it was unlikely that a buyer for the club, which was put up for sale a year ago, would be found this season.
Asked if he had been told that Ashley would not be selling, Benitez said: “What we talked about during the dinner is between us. It was informal.
“We were not talking about anything serious that you can print and then it will make a difference for us, for the fans or for the club.
“I don’t see why it’s so important what we have as our first plate, it’s not changed anything for the game against Manchester United.”
Meanwhile, Benitez will make late checks on Paul Dummett and Federico Fernandez, who missed last weekend’s 2-0 home defeat to Leicester City with injuries.
“I have to assess Federico and Dummett,” said Benitez.
“No (Salomon) Rondon. (Jamie) Sterry unavailable.”
Benitez also says Yoshinori Muto’s “closer” to his Newcastle United starting XI.
Muto – who joined the club in the summer from Mainz – is yet to start a Premier League game.
Benitez suggested that the forward still needs time to adjust to the physicality and intensity of English football after last month’s goalless draw against Crystal Palace.
Asked about Muto ahead of this evening’s game against Manchester United, Benitez said: “He’s in the squad. He’s closer. How close? You will see (at Old Trafford).
“The point with him is that you put in a foreign player and his English isn’t as good as we were expecting.
“He’s getting better in terms of understanding, that is the key. Each player and person is different.”