OPINION
Rafa Benitez and his issues with the bureaucracy at Newcastle United are well known.
The Spaniard missed out on most of his top targets last summer after his attempts to sign several players were slowed down by the club hierarchy, and that has been an issue at the forefront of contract discussions in recent weeks.
However, the latest report on the situation has shed light on exactly how restrictive this unnecessary system at St. James’ Park really is, and it could mean that Newcastle are in for another disastrous summer.
As reported by the Chronicle, Benitez is currently having to go through ‘layers of bureaucracy’ for the club to sanction any deal over £10million.
Those restrictions do not exist at all below that level, meaning that the Spaniard is free to chase as many bargain deals as he likes, but those will not take Newcastle to the next level in 2018/19.
Quite frankly this is an utterly ridiculous situation for the club to be putting Benitez in, especially after the brilliant season that the club have just had.
Elsewhere there are deals going through for £20, £30, £40million on a regular basis, and the manager of Newcastle United is having to ask nicely to complete any deal above the £10million mark.
It is totally unacceptable from club bosses, and it is now clear for all to to see exactly why Benitez holds such frustration with the board over last summer.
You would think that the hierarchy may have learned their lesson from that, and the brilliant job that Benitez has done this season, but obviously not.
And, if this is a situation that continues for much longer, then the club are set for a summer that could be even more disastrous than last time round.
Now is the time when they need to be capitalising on their success, bringing in players around the £20million mark to strengthen their squad.
Instead they will be bringing in the likes of Joselu once again, with their rivals leaving them in their wake with big-money deals for proven players.
It is a dire situation for the club, and one which could easily see Benitez walk away if it continues.
That would be the absolute worst case scenario for Newcastle, and club bosses must recognise that before it’s too late and rectify this shambles of a situation.
