We all have been aware that Rafael Benitez’s relationship with Mike Ashley isn’t the best over the course of years and Benitez is not keen on extending his stay at St. James Park until and unless his transfer targets are met for the upcoming season. The Spaniard had managed to finish 10th last season but knows that he could be in a relegation battle if the team doesn’t add quality players to the squad.
Benitez wants Newcastle United to go past their long-standing transfer record. They acquired former England international, Michael Owen for a fee of £16m in 2005. That figure still stands today and it is certainly astounding to see that even after more than a decade, the club hasn’t broken that record. As of now, the Toon have acquired goalkeeper Martin Dubravka for £4m and Ki Sung-Yueng on a free transfer.
Benitez himself has admitted that the transfer period has been a difficult one for his side as they are yet to add a quality striker to their squad which seems like a topmost priority for the club at the moment. The club had launched a bid for Nice striker Alassane Plea which was said to be around £20m but that doesn’t seem good enough for the French side.
Reports suggest that the former Liverpool manager is in no mood to extend his stay at the club until his transfer demands are met in the current transfer period.
Rafa, as he is commonly called, has become a crowd favourite since he has taken over the managerial role at the club and he showed his worth last season as his team punched above their weight to secure a top-half finish in the Premier League. If one looks at the Magpies’ squad, no particular player stands out and it is the testimony of what fantastic work that the former Champions League winner has done at the club.
However, all this can be undone by Mike Ashley because of his miserly behaviour in the transfer market. Benitez has time and again warned him that if his demands aren’t met he won’t stick around with the club. If anything like that happens, it will be a disaster for the club as the team is slowly trying to establish itself in the English top flight.
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Benitez is currently reluctant to commit his long-term future at the club and he will be entering in the final year of his contract. He has been offered a long-term deal to stay at the club, however, he is not keen to sign it until and unless the owner matches the ambition of the manager. It will be a pity for the Newcastle United faithful to see a manager of Benitez calibre leave the club on such grounds.
