Rafa Benitez turned up the pressure on managing director Lee Charnley to reach a deal with Blackburn Rovers over the signing of Grant Hanley.
The Shields Gazette quoted the gaffer as commenting:
“We are working hard. Lee Charnley knows that we need bodies to have all the positions covered.
“We are short of centre-backs. We have to manage the minutes and positions. It’s clear that we need bodies in some positions, and I think we will have someone soon.”
It’s reported that Scottish international Hanley is interested in a move to Tyneside but Blackburn are playing hardball over the fee. Rovers want £6m but Newcastle have made three lower offers.
That the two clubs are still talking is a positive sign but for this level of fee, it’s disappointing in some ways that Newcastle haven’t come close enough to make a deal happen.
The deal has been hanging around for some time and with Norwich City also interested, time for Charnley to kick into gear.
