According to a report in the Chronicle, Newcastle are set to have a frenetic transfer deadline day as the club looks to sign four new players to bolster their squad.
However, Benitez understands that such business is highly unlikely, so he will have to settle for trying to add a couple of new faces before the transfer window slams shut at 11pm tonight. Although, how many signings the Magpies make is totally dependent on how many players they can get rid of.
Ideally, Benitez would love to sign a new striker, attacking-midfielder, left-back, and keeper, but he would be quite content with being able to strengthen at least two of these positions.
The Magpies have been linked with a loan deal for Chelsea’s Kenedy for over a fortnight, but the collapse of Chamberlain’s move across London from Arsenal means that Conte will have to make sure he has cover on the left before allowing the Brazilian to join Newcastle.
Out of the four positions mentioned above, Benitez will be particularly keen to sign a new left-back as Dummett could be out injured until November.
Dwight Gayle’s future at the club remains uncertain as Fulham are attempting to acquire his services, but Newcastle will only let him leave if they can find themselves a suitable replacement. Mitrovic has picked up a three-match ban for elbowing West Ham’s Manuel Lanzini in the side of the head last weekend, meaning that Benitez would only have Joselu left to choose from after the international break, should Gayle be allowed to leave without a replacement being found.
Newcastle were keeping a close eye on Origi, but a deal for the Liverpool player seems highly unlikely as he is attracting interest from bigger clubs across Europe. They have also been closely following Leicester’s Slimani and Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Kjartansson, but it is unknown whether they will make an offer for these players.
Keen to lower their wage bill, Newcastle are also looking to offload unwanted fringe players, and they have just sold Grant Hanley to Norwich City for £3.5 million. They are also looking to get rid of Colback, Krul and Lazaar. Benevento are set to sign the latter, while Wolves are interested in acquiring Colback’s services.
