Journalist reveals the Premier League striker Rafa Benitez wants to sign in January

According to the Northern Echo’s Scott Wilson, Rafa Benitez is a ‘long-standing admirer’ of Watford striker Troy Deeney.

This comes from his piece that claims Bundesliga striker Sebastien Haller is now Rafa Benitez’s ‘top target’ ahead of the January window, however he insists that the Spaniard is a long-term admirer of the Watford skipper.

Here’s a snippet from his transfer story in the Northern Echo, confirming Rafa’s interest in Deeney – a player Ashley is ‘unlikely’ to sanction a deal for due to him approaching his thirties:

“Benitez is a long-standing admirer of Watford’s Troy Deeney, but it is unlikely that Ashley will sanction a major financial outlay on a player who turned 30 in June.”

This notion that Ashley wouldn’t sign an older player (and Rafa’s interest in Deeney) has also been backed up by a report from The Chronicle today, with them confirming that the club ‘blocked’ some of Benitez’s preferred permanent moves over the summer as the players ‘didn’t fit the age profile’ that’s been set in the Ashley regime.

Here’s a snippet from their piece, confirming that Benitez is keen to sign the ‘experienced’ Watford target man:

‘Newcastle blocked some of his desired permanent moves in the summer because the players didn’t fit the age profile – with the Salomon Rondon deal dragging on because United did not want to commit to the sort of financial terms being mooted by player and club. Benitez had also targeted Craig Dawson and Andros Townsend but found moves for both difficult.

‘And that may mean Benitez’s desire to sign an experienced Premier League marksman like Troy Deeney – who is 29 but would add some know-how to United’s front-line – may also have to be shelved.’

Would you like to see and experienced striker like Deeney arrive in January?

I would, however I really can’t see it happening. Why would he leave Watford – after their best start to a Premier League season – to join a side fighting in the relegation places?

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