According to the Chronicle, Rafa Benitez is set to hold another round of transfer talks with the club prior to Wednesday’s pre-season trip to Ireland – with the Spaniard desperate to see a new striker signed.
There’s 30 days left to do business, so we still have plenty time, but Benitez will be aware that deals for a new striker (or two), Kenedy, a new number 10 will not come cheap or easily – so progress needs to be made.
The Chronicle confirm that we’ve made a £20m bid for Nice striker Alassane Plea, but it’s been made quit clear ever since that we’ll have to up that offer if we wish to have any chance of signing the Frenchman.
Rondon – who has a £16.5m release clause – is also someone Rafa is clearly considering, however there seems to be some reluctance to pay that fee (and the wages/agent fees that come with it) for a striker nearing his 30’s who’s never actually been prolific in the Premier League.
With the new kits released and the players back for pre-season, the build up to the new campaign is well underway, but you can’t help but feel we’re still too hesitant and slow in our approach to transfers – and that will frustrate Rafa.
Let’s hope these transfer talks go well and we see a new face or two arrive in the coming days.
