Steve Harper fires transfer warning to Rafa Benitez ahead of the January window

Steve Harper has spoken out ahead of a crucial January transfer window for Rafa Benitez and NUFC, insisting that we must prioritise deals for a new number 10 and ‘out and out’ centre forward – stating that arrivals in these two areas are far more important than a new goalkeeper.

As we all know, Benitez made real efforts over the summer to secure a new number one – with both Pepe Reina and Willy Caballero heavily linked – however no new goalkeeper arrived.

Former NUFC stopper Steve Harper clearly feels that a new goalkeeper is the least of Rafa’s worries heading into the winter window, feeling that the attacking areas need ‘major surgery’ above anything else:

“The priority (for Rafa Benitez in the January transfer window) is fire power.

“They need a number 10, an out and out centre forward”

“Rafa Benitez has gone on and on about a goalkeeper, but there are other areas in need of major surgery before he gets a goalkeeper.”

Whilst a new goalkeeper wouldn’t go amiss, with Elliot and Darlow displaying mixed form so far this season, it’s fair to say incoming attacking flair has to be the priority next month.

Benitez recently admitted that it was no surprise that we were struggling to compete with the likes of Crystal Palace when you compare the two sides attacking assets and he wasn’t wrong. Zaha, Townsend, Loftus-Cheek and Benteke vs Ritchie, Atsu, Perez and Joselu – it’s a mismatch.

Do you agree with Steve here? Is the signing of a number 10 and striker the two most important areas for strengthening next month or should the signing of a goalkeeper be a priority?

(Fancy writing for us? Send any articles/ideas over to us at [email protected] & we’ll get back to you!)

About Olly Hawkins

As a Junior Magpie since birth and season ticket holder, I eat, sleep and breathe all things NUFC! Here at the blog, I aim to bring you news, views, match reports and transfer exclusives as and when I get them.

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