NUFC miss out on another Rafa Benitez target as attacker completes £14m move

The Chronicle’s Mark Douglas and Andrew Musgrove have confirmed that Newcastle have missed out on another Rafa Benitez target today, with Croatian talent Nikola Vlasic completing a £14m move to CSKA Moscow.

Whether he was a top target or not remains to be seen, although the Northern Echo claim he featured ‘prominently’ on Rafa’s summer wish-list.

Either way, there is absolutely no doubt that the uncertainty surrounding the club is now starting to cost us in the transfer market, with it becoming clear that no deals will take place while we remain in limbo.

This comes just a week after it was revealed that Aston Villa had tied up a shock deal £22m for Wesley – the Brazilian striker Benitez had been hoping to sign after being in contact with the 22-year-old earlier this summer.

Vlasic – who was available on the cheap at Everton – had been linked on several occasions over the past 12 months. The Sun claimed just yesterday that the Blues were ‘waiting for an offer’ from NUFC, however he’s now completed a £14m move to CSKA:

The fact Rafa Benitez’s future is STILL not sorted with 11 days left to run on his contract is one thing, but the fact this impasse is now seeing him miss out on reported targets just adds to the frustration.

June is never a hugely busy months when it comes to incomings and outgoings, however the club have allowed this situation to get completely out of hand, leaving us to play catch up in the transfer market even if Rafa does agree a new deal in the coming fortnight.

There’s time yet, but even if Benitez stays and manages to salvage our summer in July and the final week of the window in August, a takeover can no come soon enough.

For as long as Mike Ashley remains, this club will consistently be neglected.

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About Olly Hawkins

As a Junior Magpie since birth and season ticket holder, I eat, sleep and breathe all things NUFC! Here at the blog, I aim to bring you news, views, match reports and transfer exclusives as and when I get them.

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