Rafa Benitez will have to find something new to complain about after the club completed the signing of Miguel Almiron, according to Sun journalist Alan Nixon.
The Magpies tied up a £20 million deal for the Paraguayan international after a lengthy pursuit, as reported by the BBC.
Manager Benitez has made no secret of his desire to strengthen his squad after a largely disappointing transfer window, and was finally granted his wish on deadline day.
Respected journalist Nixon suggests, however, that Almiron’s acquisition will force the Spaniard to change his rhetoric.
Writing on his personal Twitter on Friday morning, he said: “What will Rafa moan at now that Ashley bought him the player he wants?”
What will Rafa moan at now that Ashley bought him the player he wants? 😂 https://t.co/onMxukBTAR
— Alan Nixon (@reluctantnicko) February 1, 2019
OPINION
Nixon’s comments are a little short-sighted and more than a little unjustified. One signing doesn’t amend for a lengthy period of frustration and poor ownership, and while Almiron was Benitez’s first target there is still a lot at the club that needs to be tended to. Quite frankly, it is embarrassing that the £20 million signing has broken a transfer record that has stood since 2005, and while the Paraguayan is sure to improve the side, his was not the only position that could have done with some investment. Ordinarily, fans might take a move such as this as a sign of the owner finally recognising that more has to be done, but given that the owner in question is Mike Ashley, nobody will be holding their breath. The chairman has more than likely acknowledged that a barren transfer window followed by a relegation would lead to the kind of supporter mutiny that could heavily devalue his asset, and if £20 million is the price he has to pay to keep his team in the league, £20 million is what he will fork out.
