North-East reporter reveals Rafa's latest transfer demand after Ashley's £70m promise
According to the the Mirror's Simon Bird, Rafa Benitez is now demanding 'written guarantees' over his future transfer budgets and power at the club - having been 'let down' by 'verbal agreements' over the last year.
Simon Bird, the Mirror's reporter for the North-East, claims that the Spaniard has now been offered a new deal by the club, however he is only willing to sign it if he gets the necessary assurances - and this one would protect him against Ashley's infamous false promises.
His piece claims that Benitez struck a 'verbal agreement' with NUFC officials last summer, agreeing to have £70m to spend over the THREE transfer windows to come (2017-2018), however he was left 'let down' when his early-summer targets were not signed' (presumably the likes of Abraham and Caballero?).
Here's a snippet from the Mirror's latest piece:
"Rafa Benitez is after written guarantees about his future transfer budget and powers.
"Sources claim Benitez and Newcastle struck a verbal agreement around a year ago which gave him around £70million to spend over three transfer windows.
"But he then felt let down when his early-summer targets were not signed, and wants to firm up the club’s ambition before signing afresh.
"Benitez’s representatives are continuing their talks with Newcastle this week."
It seems totally plausible that Rafa would want written assurances over his budget and power at the club, but one thing that doesn't add up is the Mirror's claim that he agreed to a £70m budget across three windows (summer 2017, January 2018 and summer 2018).
Despite having a very poor window, we spent just over £40m last summer, so that would mean we'd have little over £30m to spend this summer if that was the case. Seems unlikely that Rafa would agree to that? Or does this explain why we resorted to loans in January? I doubt it.
https://twitter.com/andy_emmers/status/991801658001764352
Written assurances sounds like the way forward, but, with Benitez and NUFC officials locked in future talks, let's hope Ashley agrees to it.
Knowing what he's like, I have my doubts he will - but it's a smart and expected move from Rafa before he'll commit to any new deal.
