Speaking to BBC Newcastle’s Matthew Raisbeck, Rafa Benitez has admitted that he is still pursuing a deal to sign West Brom’s Salomon Rondon despite claims the deal had ‘stalled’ – however he now believes Dwight Gayle could be set to stay at the club.
This comes after some of Rafa’s explosive comments about our summer so far following the 4-0 defeat to Braga on Wednesday night, with him admitting that he’s now ‘really worried’ after seeing things go badly both ‘on and off the pitch’ in recent weeks.
To make matters worse, he even admitted that he has ‘no idea’ how much money he has to spend – despite insisting that he needs ‘three or four’ new signings before the window shuts next week.
Here’s what he had to say to BBC Radio Newcastle when asked if he still wanted to sign the West Brom striker:
“Yes. Could be fine if we have an agreement but we have to respect West Brom, and what they decide.”
“We have been talking for a while about players. I think it’s the time to act, more than talk.”
We @bbcnewcastle asked Rafa if #NUFC still want to sign Salomón Rondon: “Yes. Could be fine if we have an agreement but we have to respect West Brom, and what they decide.”
— Matthew Raisbeck (@raisbeck10) August 1, 2018
Here’s what Rafa then had to say about Gayle’s potential exit, suggesting the striker could now stay at the club:
“It seems that Dwight Gayle will stay, so that’s what we have at the moment.”
And finally, here’s what Rafa had to say when asked if he was confident of signing the ‘three or four’ players he’s looking to bring in over the next week:
“I don’t know. We have been working for months – sometimes we can sign players, sometimes we cannot. At the moment, I don’t know.”
“Am I optimistic, thinking that in ten days, we can do what we didn’t do in two months? I don’t think so. But, still, I think it’s obvious we need people, we need bodies.”
A complete and utter shambles.
One week to go, but it seems even Benitez has given up hope now..
He has a release clause. Like with Merino, once the release clause is activated, the selling club cannot block the transfer. 😎
Toontaff(Quote)
Release clause now timed out.
Jamie(Quote)
We will never pay 16 mill for a player whilst that fat ******* owns the club he simply has no ambition or desire to see nufc successful.we are just a vehicle to drive the sports direct global brand. He is milking the club for millions to cover up his 83 million losses at bhs.all these groups trying to put pressure on him to invest or sell will fall on deaf ears he gets off on it.the only way to make him take notice is to hit him hard in the pocket stop buying merchandise and even stay away for games.why be his **** hanky
Stu Hunter(Quote)
The release clause date has now closed according to the express and star.
Baggie(Quote)
Re: Release clause timed out.
Thanks, didn’t realise.
So they probably thought they’d get him on the cheap later in the window, which explains some of the goings-on. 😛
Toontaff(Quote)
If the talk of Ashley giving funds to Benítez if he signs the contract, why does Benítez not sign with a clause based only on the releasing of funds. Then it is then all down to Ashley only. I am not a lover of either these two putting themselves before the club, but others have their own beliefs, let’s see what happens next.
Disgruntled(Quote)