It has been confirmed today that Amanda Staveley and Mike Ashley are now ‘very close’ to agreeing a £300m deal for the sale of NUFC, and with that, some details of our potential January plans have been shared as a result – with several claims that Ashley will hand Benitez around £30m to spend if the deal goes through (a fee that is set to be paid back to Ashley when the takeover is completed).
Due to the Premier League regulations, any official completing won’t be until the end of January (30-40 days to ratify new owners), however it has been revealed just how Benitez will be handed transfer funds next month with Ashley still technically set to be in charge by that point.
It is understood, based on several of the reports written on the breaking news, that Mike Ashley is now willing to pay for January transfers, with PCP set to agree in writing that they will repay him once takeover has been ratified. Makes a lot of sense really.
Here’s what North-East correspondent Craig Hope revealed in his story for the Daily Mail today, claiming that a figure in the region of £30m is expected to be given to Benitez:
“The Newcastle boss could be armed with around £30m to invest in his team next month if a deal is reached.”
Here’s some additional insights into how much there could be to spend and just how this investment will work with Staveley not expected to be officially in place in time for next month’s window:
We understand the two parties will come together to ensure money is available in the January transfer window, as it may take some time before the Premier League can ratify the deal.
— Keith Downie (@SkySports_Keith) December 13, 2017
The £30m claimed is not big bucks, as the Chronicle’s Mark Douglas states here, however it is a fair budget to give Rafa a chance of improving his first-team with a few much needed buys.
Don't think it'll be mega money in January still. But a decent working budget to get #nufc competitive again & arm Rafa.
— Mark Douglas (@MsiDouglas) December 13, 2017
#nufc set to hold a recruitment meeting for January transfers tomorrow. Reports that deal being "close" are not being denied by the club. So Rafa's "good news" 24 hours ago unfolding nicely ?
— Lee Ryder (@lee_ryder) December 13, 2017
As Lee Ryder explains above, it looks like a recruitment meeting will now take place to put Benitez and his teams January actions into plan now they appear to have a far better idea on budget.
Does £30m sound ok to you? Let us know your thoughts..
Oh Mandy you came and you gave without taking
And sent Ashley away, oh Mandy
And you bought us and the rest of the league is now shaking
And I need you today, oh Mandy
Lone(Quote)
Think back to the price of decent players in the Summer and remember that Jan is always more expensive.
30 million is nowhere near enough to fund the 4 to 5 players we need
Bob(Quote)
30 million not a brilliant budget , but if the wage contracts are being negotiated by the new owners things would definitely be on the up there are a lot of good loan players available with it being a world cup year but under cashley could not see us paying the going rate ! These players will play both for Rafa and their world cup places ! Then a major rebuild in the summer! Happy days !
robert ainsley(Quote)
We need 4 in IMO. if that turns out as 2 good signings and 2 loans that’s fine by me, survival is the only aim, if we get takeover we will spend in the summer
Gary(Quote)
He will not be given any budget, but deals will be sanctioned on a deal by deal basis.
One of the deals in the offing is for £30m and that is where the story is coming from..
BillytheFish(Quote)