The Guardian provide some interesting insight into Mike Ashley’s thoughts on this summer’s transfer window.
It’s been a frustrating period for Newcastle United as they prepare for life back in the Premier League and, despite the Sports Direct mogul claiming Rafa Benitez would be handed every last penny from promotion, player sales and more, there have been worrying reports of late.
Rafa is not thought to be happy with the way in which he’s been backed over the course of the summer and Martin Hardy recently revealed the former Liverpool and Real Madrid coach is frustrated once more.
Within their preview piece on the Toon Army, Louise Taylor writes ‘Charnley, [Justin] Barnes and Ashley have apparently been deeply unimpressed by this summer’s crazy, heavily inflated transfer market ‘ as the relative transfer impasse at St. James’ Park continues.
A bid, thought to be a derisory one, is understood to have been snubbed by Stoke City for striker Joselu and Arsenal’s Lucas Perez seems to be out of the club’s price range right now.
However, the preview does also include a tidbit in regards to Newcastle’s striker search.
‘The suspicion is Newcastle are waiting to do some key business – ie signing the high-calibre striker their manager so desperately craves – until late in August when they hope, perhaps optimistically, that prices will drop’, writes Taylor.
With only Dwight Gayle and Aleksandar Mitrovic realistic options in central striking berths just days away from the campaign, Benitez really could do with a marquee marksman to help his cause at St. James’ Park.
Daniel Sturridge and Michy Batshuayi have both been touted as potential targets in the past, though both seem far too ambitious right now, considering what’s gone on in the last few months.
Thoughts?
