Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has questioned where the money goes at the club, as Rafael Benitez continues to struggle in the transfer market.
Speaking to BBC 5 Live’s Football Daily podcast, Shearer gave an honest assessment of the current situation at St James’s Park: “Copy and paste isn’t it?” he said. “I said exactly the same last year. I’ll probably be saying the same again next year.
“Whoever goes in seems to be having exactly the same problems and it’s quite obvious that’s not going to change under this owner. Rafa has made a profit again as we stand here, of about £25million in the transfer market. Made a profit last year in the transfer market. What was it, about £120million for finishing tenth last season? My question would be: where’s that money gone?
“When you look at it from Mike Ashley’s point of view, he’ll be sat back and rubbing his hands together. He’s a businessman. But the fans want more. The fans want to see their money invested, the fans want to see new players coming in.”
OPINION
Newcastle are doing very well financially again this summer transfer window. But Shearer is right in questioning where that money’s going. Certainly not on the pitch it seems. The club have made a few signings this summer, but none of them for very much money. It’s extremely telling that at a time where teams are breaking their transfer record every window, and where Bournemouth have just spent £25million on Jefferson Lerma, that Newcastle’s record transfer remains Michael Owen from Real Madrid in 2005 for £16million. That is absolutely crazy. The pre Mike Ashley days must seem a long time ago for Magpies supporters now, and Shearer is correct in saying nothing is going to change under the present owner. He’s right, also, in saying that everything is rosy from Ashley’s point of view. He’s making money, that’s what he wants. He’s not a Newcastle fan, he’s not bothered about the product on the pitch. All the fans can do is continue to pray that a new owner comes in someday and rescues them from their misery.
