Speaking during Sky Sports’ latest Transfer Talk podcast, North-East reporter Keith Downie has admitted that it’s now ‘highly unlikely‘ that Rafa Benitez will even receive a big chunk of the cash Newcastle receive for the sale of Aleksandar Mitrovic.
The Serbian has been on holiday following his World Cup exploits in Russia, however it’s emerged over the last few days that a £20m move to Fulham is all but done, with some even reporting that he’ll sign at Craven Cottage over the weekend.
I’m not expecting Fulham to hand us a lump sum of £20m the day the deal goes through as transfers don’t seem to work like that, but to hear Rafa isn’t going to be given his fair share following a sale is just unacceptable.
Given the ‘sell to buy’ admission by Benitez earlier in the week, it was hoped and expected that Mitrovic’s sale would FINALLY give us some money to spend on a new striker – so this is taking things to a new extreme by Ashley.
After speaking to the Spaniard in Ireland this week, here’s what Keith Downie’s had to say during Sky’s latest podcast (33 minutes in), admitting that he’s now ‘unlikely’ to even be handed much of the cash from Mitrovic’s sale:
“The thing that got to me that Rafa said was essentially they need to sell before they buy’ players.’
“But even if they do, I get the impression if they were to sell Aleksandar Mitrovic tomorrow for £18-20m – which I think is going to go through – it’s my understanding that he will not even get all of that money.”
So, despite him claiming that ‘every penny’ generated by the club would be reinvested, it seems that Mike Ashley won’t even release full amounts of money from player sales – never mind any of the £123m the club received last season.
Looking at our transfers so far, we should have seen this coming. Merino was sold for £10m yet we’ve replaced him with a free agent (Ki Sung-Yueng) and we clearly showed no intention of spending big to secure Kenedy on a permanent deal, opting for a loan instead.
It’s bad enough when we show a lack of ambition and struggle to get the necessary deals done, but this is a step too far.
Click here (or see below) to listen to the full podcast for yourself (Keith Downie talks NUFC from 31 minutes onwards)
For the full NUFC section with @PeteGravesSky and I, listen from 31 minutes in. https://t.co/ZTMEPrm47Y
— Keith Downie (@SkySports_Keith) July 21, 2018
It’s very unlikely that Fulham will pay the 20 million up front so no Rafa won’t get a 20 million lump sum to spend.
He won’t get 123 million war chest – again, the TV money is paid in installments, and when it comes in most of it will be used to cover salaries anyway.
Plus we have a hole of 90 million to cover from the Championship.
Come on guys – just add up the numbers and remember 1. It’s a business, 2. It’s a football club
Brrrian(Quote)
Sorry did we not cover the debt last season ?Yes we got over 100 million for getting promotion did we spend it ? 140 million for last season? We need to get him out !!
Martin(Quote)
So how comes everyone else can spend but we keep making profit on our transfers it doesn’t add up no matter what the “accounts” may state.
Clive(Quote)
Brrrian – “Most of it (the 123 million) will be used to cover salaries anyway” ?????
Are you for real or a Shirebrook ‘accountant’?
Who are we employing – De Bruyne, Neymar, Messi and MBappe?
As Clive says – other clubs can use the money why not our ‘tight ar**d’ owner?
Why do some supporters insist on apologising for Ashley and his administration?
Wake up and smell the bull s**t from this bloke who isn’t fit to run a bath let alone a well respected and famous football club.
sikovash(Quote)
Keith Downey knows f**k all .. more rubbish from Sky regurgitated and then twisted for clicks
Slip(Quote)
If this article is true then sorry Rafa we have to keep Mitro and you have to find a way to get him playing to your formation.
Magpie 48(Quote)
You say regurgitated but we’ve dug this out of a transfer podcast we’ve listened to – which so few NUFC fans will have – and it seems very relevant to me given we’ve been told we’re now selling to buy.
Not sure how it’s been twisted either. Downie spoke to Rafa in Ireland this week and his comments here do not bode well for Benitez.
If we’re wanting a striker and selling Mitrovic to fund a move for one then I don’t see how this isn’t pretty grim news..
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
This is a disgrace! Ashley have to move aside!
Amir(Quote)
die u absolute *****
lick my ball sack ashley(Quote)
some 1 huury up and do 15 years for this ****
lick my ball sack ashley(Quote)
Everyone should put s block on buying anything from any company that has anything to do with Ashley.
An empty stadium would be the best kick up the **** to ASHLEY.
Allan(Quote)
Rafa needs to walk now.
There are supporters renewing season tickets on the expectation that Rafa will or was going to get a sizeable amount of cash.
The longer Rafa stalls only plays into Ashleys hand. He knows with Rafa he’ll get 52000 fans in the stadium and knows Rafa is capable of improving the squad and up amongst to 7 or 8.
This way he can get his inflated price without spending any money.
He’s making the mags pay for his investment loses with Debenhams.
No wonder he lovesus Geordies.
Go Rafa, you can always return and leave with no disgrace.
Ed(Quote)