After a frustrating summer for the NUFC boss, Rafa Benitez is believed to have already drawn us his January ‘wish-list’, with The Chronicle revealing this morning that the Spaniard is hoping to add full-back cover, a striker and is keeping an eye on the goalkeeping situation ahead of the winter window.
This is yet another sign that Benitez is focused on Newcastle and will continue to work with the club despite a pretty turbulent summer or transfers.
His wish for full-back cover was expected, with our deadline-day revolving around cover at left-back. No one arrived however, so that will be revisited.
The striker situation is an interesting one. Joselu has done a decent job so far, Gayle has slipped down the pecking order, whilst I maintain that Rafa would sell Mitrovic if the right offer came in. Fulham could yet come in with an improved January offer for Gayle – another player we seem to be willing to sell at the right price, meaning there could well be some movement in this department this winter.
The goalkeeping situation is one us fans seem to have no issue with, yet it is clear Rafa wants another option following his long winded yet unsuccessful ‘pursuit’ of Pepe Reina this summer. Rob Elliot has been in superb form so far and the likes of Woodman and Darlow appear pretty able options in reserve, but Rafa knows best.
Finally, it is also worth mentioning that, according to The Chronicle, the club’s scouting network are currently searching for a first-team ready central midfielder ahead of the next TWO transfer windows. We have some decent options in that area, but with Colback and Saivet’s futures lying elsewhere and Diame doing little to impress, you can see why we’d be looking to bring in more able replacements.
