North-East correspondent reveals NUFC transfer blow & worrying update on Rafa Benitez

Some concerning news today confirms Rafa Benitez is growing increasingly frustrated by Newcastle’s lack of transfer business, with our hopes of signing FOUR recently linked wingers appearing to have taken a blow according to North-East correspondent Craig Hope.

Craig, believed to be one of the more reliable journalists regarding NUFC matters, posted a series of tweets today, providing an update on our pursuit of recently linked wingers Jacob Murphy, Adama Traore, Jesus Navs and Sheyi Ojo.

Starting with Jacob Murphy. Our recently reported £8m bid was confirmed by Craig, but it appears Norwich have rejected the bid and have no interested in selling him, suggesting that deal now looks ‘unlikely’:

Understand NUFC made an £8m bid for Jacob Murphy but Norwich have said he is not for sale. Sources say unlikely to be progress.

— Craig Hope (@CraigHope_DM) July 10, 2017

Then onto Adama Traore. The Chronicle confirmed talks had taken place for the Middlesbrough winger over the weekend but the word today is that their valuation of him has ‘all but put an end’ to our interest:

He later commented that the deal is not ‘dead’ and Newcastle or Middlesbrough could yet budge, but the two are currently at a stand off.

Then to Sheyi Ojo and Jesus Navas. Craig revealed Newcastle will no longer be pursuing a loan deal for winger Ojo due to Liverpool’s excessive demands, whilst a move for Jesus Navas was well and truly denied, with the Spaniard set for a return to Spain:

And for those asking about Jesus Navas – no chance. He was mentioned a while back but accepted he's going back to Spain now.

— Craig Hope (@CraigHope_DM) July 10, 2017

The final and more worrying message from Craig was his piece in the Daily Mail, claiming Rafa Benitez is becoming increasingly concerned by Newcastle’s poor business in the transfer window, also stating that the Spaniard is still unaware how much the club actually have to spend – a real worry.

Clubs are likely to be quoting silly money for players this summer given the sudden hike of transfer fees, and it’s fair for Newcastle to baulk at certain prices, however we can not afford to penny pinch any longer.

I’m actually quite relieved to see deals for Navas and Ojo played down (I have big concerns over both) and an overly expensive fee for Traore is a huge risk too, but it’s not the prospect of missing out on the players in question that’s disappointing – it’s the feeling yet again that we are struggling to get deals done.

Benitez is pragmatic- he will understand when a fee is way too much – but if the deal breakers at the club don’t see sense, compete in the market and deliver their promises to him soon enough, Rafa could be be forced into seriously considering his future.

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