Newcastle United could have up to £100million to spend thanks to the money they have earned from the Premier League’s television deal, according to journalist Lee Ryder.
The ever-reliable Chronicle reporter, one of the most revered writers covering the Magpies, claimed in a question and answer on the newspaper’s website (13:58) that Mike Ashley could provide Rafael Benitez, or whoever is in the manager’s seat this summer, a hefty budget to spend and that deals, such as the £40million fee reported for Joelinton, cannot be ruled out.
The money available is said to come from the broadcast deals in place, with Newcastle having been part of the Premier League for two seasons since promotion.
He wrote: “Newcastle have already been talking about spending up to £40million on striker Joelinton behind the scenes. Any type of deal like that can’t be dismissed as the Magpies should be enjoying the benefits of the TV money from the last few years by now.
“Benitez could arguably expect up to £100million to spend but there’s no guarantee of that the way things have been in recent times.”
Newcastle broke their transfer record for the first time in over a decade with the capture of Miguel Almiron over the January window.
Opinion
Newcastle fans will believe this claim when Ashley actually dips his hand into his wallet and stumps up the cash for Benitez – who is the only manager the Toon Army want to see at St James’ Park over the summer and next season – to spend in the transfer window. Yes, the Spanish boss should have funds available but he should have had cash to splash for the entirety of his time on Tyneside – and that certainly has not been the case. Almiron’s capture over the winter was a sign of what can be done if the owner chooses to back his manager but there is no certainty that is a sign of things to come. It could well be that the Paraguayan was a one off to help the club stave off the threat of relegation and that it will be back to normal in pre-season, with limited funds available to Benitez. If that is the case, then do not expect the manager to pen a new deal at St James’ Park.
