Newcastle are on the brink of securing their top-flight status in the Premier League after a thrilling run of four consecutive wins saw Rafael Benitez’s side surpass their pre-season target of 40 points.
That has allowed the Spaniard to start to cast an eye towards the summer’s transfer market, where Benitez has already started to draft a list of potential recruits- and has admitted his interest in a Premier League star.
Quoted by The Northern Echo ahead of the clash with Everton on Monday night, Benitez confirmed he wants to sign current loanee Kenedy on a permanent deal from Chelsea.
“Chelsea, I am sure they will say wait. Chelsea has a lot of confidence in the lad. When we tried to bring him last summer, we couldn’t. The lad wanted to play, but was in a top side.”
“We pushed and it was impossible. We were ready in January. I was worried because it was taking too long. We had to be sure we could do it and we did it and now we have to see.”
Kenedy has made nine appearances for Newcastle since January, easily surpassing the five appearances he’s earned at Chelsea in his two-and-a-half years at Stamford Bridge.
