Newcastle losing Rafa Benitez as manager could prove even more significant, according to The Sun. The report suggests several senior first-team players could follow the Spaniard out of St James’ Park.
The article claims Martin Dubravka, Ayoze Perez, Fabian Schar, Federico Fernandez and Isaac Hayden could all be leaving Tyneside in the near future. Although, in Hayden’s case he would be returning south for family reasons.
Whoever is named as Benitez’s successor could be inheriting a depleted squad with gaps in almost every position. The biggest loss could be Perez, who is being tracked by Valencia, and according to the report would welcome a return to his homeland. The Spaniard’s 12 league goals last season, meant he finished as Newcastle’s top-scorer.
Newcastle will also be without their second-top goal scorer from last season, Salomon Rondon. The forward’s loan deal was just for one year and has since returned to West Brom. That equates to 23 goals from the last campaign missing, the club only managed 42 in their 38 Premier League matches.
The Magpies have not brought in any new players so far but The Sun suggests any new manager would have very little control over transfers.