With it appearing very much so that a large summer transfer war-chest will not be forthcoming, for Rafael Benitez to spend, whilst Mike Ashley remains in control, the Spaniard must feel he’s caught between the devil and the deep blue sea.
The stand-off, some fear, could even see Rafa walk away from the club.
However, having done so much for the club since taking over the managerial reigns, that’s a move that would hugely disappoint the support.
Another answer to the solution could be, as has been the way in the past, players will be sold to bring fresh talent in.
Yesterday, speculation appeared in the news source, Evening Standard, that there were suitors out there willing to sign our classy defender Jamaal Lascelles. According to our source, both Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea are keen to sign the 24-year-old. It’s also suggested that the club have put a valuation of £45 million on the player.
Elsewhere, the local media,the Chronicle Live, is of the opinion that Newcastle are keen to bring the Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish to the club.
Grealish, just 22-years-of-age, could be a casualty of Aston Villa’s failure to make a return to the Premier League, with the Championship club now having to cut their financial cloth accordingly.
But, would selling Lascelles to fund a move for Grealish improve Newcastle United as a side?
Grealish, with his ability to carry the ball forward, would certainly add something to our attacking intent, but the sale of Lascelles would, undoubtedly, weaken our defence.
It’s a tricky situation for Benitez to manage and as we said earlier, the Spaniard must feel like he’s trapped between the devil and the deep blue sea.