According to The Chronicle, Rafa Benitez is now pursuing deals for ‘at least’ another three signings – with Salomon Rondon, a new number 10 and ‘extra full-back over‘ now on his agenda after successful moves for Yoshinori Muto and Fabian Schar.
The Swiss centre-back arrived from Deportivo yesterday and a £9.5m deal has now been agreed for Muto – with him expected to sign over the weekend – however it seems like Rafa will now push for a few more signings with just 12 days of the window remaining.
He needs them too. Muto in up front is a start, but another striker is needed, whilst added competition at full-back and in the number 10 role is also essential. Aside from Perez, Yedlin, Dummett and Manquillo, have we got any other senior players who can play comfortably in these positions?
Here’s a snippet from Lee Ryder’s latest transfer piece for The Chronicle:
‘Rafa Benitez wants to carry on shopping once a deal for Japan striker Yoshinori Muto is completed this week.
‘The Newcastle United chief feels there’s everything to play for in the remaining 12 days of the window and still wants at least a couple more players through the door.
‘At the top of his list is Salomón Rondón of West Bromwich Albion who want Dwight Gayle in a swap deal – but the Toon number 9 won’t move unless he is made an offer he can’t refuse.
‘Benitez is eager to add a new number 10 to his ranks and extra full-back cover before deadline day.
‘He also still has a Premier League loan deal to play with and overseas loan options still to consider.’
So, up top it looks like Rondon could come in alongside Muto – however a deal for him sounds like it may only go through if Dwight Gayle agrees to join West Brom as part of a ‘swap deal’.
Which number 10 we may turn to remains to be seen, but this is a key signing as far as I’m concerned. Perez ended last season in fine goalscoring form, but he needs competition and cover if he were to get injured – not forgetting the fact he still seems more of a scorer than a creator in that role.
Potential targets at full-back remain a slight mystery too, however it does sound like Rafa is a fan of Bristol City’s Joe Bryan.
A new midfielder may also be essential, with Isaac Hayden insisting this week that his stance has not changed after handing in a transfer request. If we get all of the above deals done (BIG if), we may see him moved on and replaced late in the day.
Lots to do, but only 12 days left. I think we’ll be busy, but will we bring in the necessary quality to actually better Benitez’s first team?
Mbemba and Sels’ sales seem to have helped (Schar and Muto signing this week as a result?), so I get the feeling Mitrovic’s big-money move to Fulham will be key.
Fingers crossed folks. A huge two weeks to come!
If schar is half as gd as the other Swiss defender the toon had Marc hottiger he will be a gd signing only had hottiger for 2 seasons before he went to Everton but was descent player so hopefully schar is just as gd
Billy(Quote)