Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez is set to hold talks with owner Mike Ashley about the club’s transfer plans and will, as per a report from Luke Edwards of the Telegraph, be offered a summer budget of around £70million.
The Spaniard believes that his squad needs to be improved quite drastically in order to keep them away from a relegation battle once again, so time will tell if he thinks that £70million is enough to make such improvements. If he doesn’t, we can expect there to be more tension in the air around St James’ Park.
According to the report, Benitez has his eyes on three players in particular.
The first is Arsenal defender Calum Chambers, who has been on loan at Middlesbrough all season. The 22-year-old would be well down the pecking order if he did return to the Emirates, so a summer move does look likely.
The second player on Benitez’s radar is Everton’s James McCarthy, another player who is seemingly out of favour. Everton’s midfield options are plentiful and the Irish international looks set to move too, with Celtic being linked with a bid for him.
Finally, Fulham star Tom Cairney has been one of the best midfielders in the Championship this season and having seen him up close, Benitez would be keen to get him in, although the chances of getting him will be greatly improved if Fulham don’t win the playoffs as he looks set to be playing top-flight football in some capacity next season.
