Newcastle Utd News

Dubious report claims Benitez wants €90m transfer raid following Newcastle takeover – report

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A dubious report by Don Balon has suggested Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez wants Sheikh Khaled Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to fund a €90million (£79.5m) transfer raid should he buy the club from Mike Ashley.

The Barcelona-based weekly sports magazine believe the gaffer has his heart set on signing Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos and Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Davinson Sanchez, following the permanent acquisition of West Bromwich Albion’s Salomon Rondon.

It is suggested Benitez has identified the Colombian duo as two potential players who can help us edge closer to qualifying for Europe next season, having finished the recently concluded campaign in 13th place – twelve points behind seventh-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers, who will enter next term’s Europa League thanks to Manchester City winning the FA Cup.

Although, what makes Don Balon’s claims questionable is that they suggest the Baggies will only demand €10million (£8.8m) for Venezuela international Rondon, despite the Hawthorns natives holding out for his entire £16.5million release clause having reportedly rejected a proposal of £12million.

The Catalan magazine also suggest Morelos is worth double that of Rondon, with claims Rangers want €20million (£17.6m) for the centre-forward who struck 30 goals in 48 games across all competitions, but was sent off on five occasions.

His speculated arrival is thought to be in tandem with the departures of Joselu, Yoshinori Muto and Dwight Gayle, but any move would come with opposition. The Daily Record have reported interest at Marseille, Borussia Dortmund and Leicester City.

As for Sanchez, Don Balon believe Benitez wants the former Ajax star to be the new leader in our defence, alongside Fabian Schar and Jamal Lascelles, as he is not convinced Florian Lejeune has what it takes to help lift the club up the table.

However, its understood Spurs will demand no less than €60million (£53m) for the 22-year-old’s signature, who has his admirers at Manchester United, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain.

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