During an interview with Sky Sports’ Keith Downie this morning, Rafa Benitez has provided a positive update on NUFC’s search for a striker, admitting that a new arrival is a matter of ‘when – and not if’ this summer – suggesting a deal may be imminent.
Although his transfer update today has been largely negative, with him admitting that we must ‘wheel and deal’ and perhaps sell before we can buy, it is reassuring to hear that he’s certain a goalscorer will be signed between now and next month’s deadline.
When asked by Sky’s Keith Downie where we currently stand as far as a new striker is concerned, here’s what Benitez said:
“It’s a matter of when – and not if”
Rafa Benitez says it’s a matter of “when – and not if” Newcastle buy a new striker. Working hard and confident of getting one in before the window closes.
— Keith Downie (@SkySports_Keith) July 17, 2018
A positive update in an otherwise negative and alarming interview from Rafa.
With Salomon Rondon, Josh King, Divock Origi all linked in recent days, let’s hope we have a breakthrough of some sort on the striker front.
That being said, you get the feeling any deal for a new striker may have to wait until Aleksandar Mitrovic is sold if we really do need to sell before we can buy..
Chat with Rafa Benitez at Newcastle’s training camp in Dublin.
Me: “Rafa, are you under the impression you have to sell before you can buy?”
Benitez: “Yeah, maybe. I think it’s normal for us now to be like that. Unfortunately we wheel and deal – it’s the way for us.”— Keith Downie (@SkySports_Keith) July 17, 2018
In his book ‘Rafa’ Way’ he talks about the club paying for itself for his project, so this may not be as bad as it first seams.
Selling to buy is part of that. And we need to make space by losing some deadwood.
We should know what to expect from the knacka by now, literally nothing should surprise us. Looks like Rafa is trying to work around those restraints and not ready to give up on us yet, despite the knacka’s attempts to drive him away.
Bobbybee(Quote)
Looks to me by his behavior that Ashley is expecting a sale of the club soon….
BillytheFish(Quote)
Please, please, please this isn’t Solomen Rondon Benitez is referring to??!!
Hopefully this is gonna be a decent signing that’s happened under the media’s radar (like the Ki transfer).
I don’t know who else this may be, but I’m hoping it’s a major signing???
Gary LINSKEY(Quote)