It has now been 22 days since the Premier League season concluded, and we are still no closer to knowing whether or not Rafa Benitez will be signing a new contract with Newcastle before his deal lapses on June 30.
The Sun’s transfer reporter Alan Nixon, though, has shared claims that the Spaniard has instructed the Magpies scouting department to come up with a list of potential targets, and suggested the gaffer thinks he will be staying at St James’ Park and may have a budget to play with.
Nixon does not suggest what sort of budget that will be, so naturally does not speculate to what level these targets will be, but the football writer claims Benitez is chasing names who can fill five positions in his squad.
It has often been reported that left and right full-back, goalkeeper and striker have been positions of great importance to our summer plans, while a new central midfielder is a near-on must if we are to lose Isaac Hayden or Jonjo Shelvey this summer.
We have also been linked with a move for Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Davinson Sanchez should Mike Ashley sell United to Sheikh Khaled Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, as Benitez allegedly is not convinced Florian Lejeune has what it takes to be a difference maker at the back.
But when NUFC360 later shared Nixon’s claims, here is how some Newcastle supporters reacted…
Asking scouts now……
It would be naive to think transfers, agent work and scouting at this level isn’t done months, if not years in advance of a transfer window. Rafa probably had 5 sets of transfer targets ready in March..#nufc— Erik Bjerke (@nordicgeordie) June 2, 2019
#rafa will always plans thats what experts do on football but this is Mike Ashley and Lee Charnley so its subject to change daily.. #nufc but we get #rondon offer in then we know something is happening.
— Andrew Davis (@andrew14ad) June 2, 2019
Let’s face it Ashley isn’t going anywhere. Give Rafa a new contract and let the mediocrity continue
— Matt Milne (@21Milner) June 2, 2019
Finally a positive take on it #NUFC
— David Punton (@DavePunton) June 2, 2019
Makes it look like Rafa just started scouting yesterday.
— bobby martins (@BobbyGoa) June 2, 2019
Rafas list of first, second, third choice targets for each position was ready much earlier knowing how well planned and meticulous that he is. Now the contract and budget besides the market will decide which one he lands from that list.
— bobby martins (@BobbyGoa) June 2, 2019
Regardless of any manager/takeover speculation the headline is pure fiction. Can you even imagine a manager as meticulous as Rafa waiting until this stage of the season to put forward his requirements to scouts?
????????— vic bates (@victorbates) June 2, 2019
Probably a business plan to show his intentions to MA.
— Craig Watson (@Craigwatson32) June 2, 2019
I will beeive it when it happens
— jamie leadbitter (@LeadbitterJamie) June 2, 2019
They might all have a price tag of £5m.
— thereal andrew young (@temperamentalan) June 2, 2019
Hopefully this is 5 new starting 11 players. Then a further 2/3 other additions.
— Adam (@AndersonAdam91) June 2, 2019
That’s weird cos usually he’s the one with the list of players.
— Bud lightyear (@ScholefieldAlex) June 2, 2019
2 wing backs, 2 centre mids / 1 + a winger and a striker?
— Yer Man Conor Bennett (@CBennett_12) June 2, 2019