According to The Telegraph’s Matt Law, Rafa Benitez wants to make an emotional return to Newcastle United in the event of a Saudi-backed takeover.
He also reveals that the Spaniard would also be keen to recruit John Stones and Ross Barkley – two players he states Rafa has tried to sign in the past.
The Telegraph report that Real Madrid showed interest in Stones during Benitez’s time at the Bernabeu, claiming the Spaniard would ‘love’ to work with the centre-back – believing he would iron out the defensive errors that have seen him lose his place in Man City’s XI.
Law also reveals that Rafa wanted Barkley at Newcastle United when he was made available by Everton back in 2018, but the Telegraph report that we refused to compete financially with Chelsea.
The piece insists that Bruce will be at the helm until the end of the season, but news that Benitez is interested in a return to Tyneside is a positive one – even if his contract situation in China means he’ll come at a considerable cost.
It would be a very popular appointment with our fanbase, allowing the ‘Rafalution’ to be kickstarted once again but with a wealthy pot of funds at his disposal – something he didn’t have last time.
However, how much is true about Barkley and Stones is questionable to say the least. Any man and his dog could tell you that what Newcastle United needs is a striker, and other offensive minded players to add firepower to the side – not a centre-back.
Barkley would be a good acquisition and he is still young at 26, but Stones isn’t much of an improvement on what we have already in my opinion.
He is seen as a weak link at club and international level, and the defensive spine to our team is our strongest aspect by a country mile.
No to all 3.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Only one out of the 3 we want is Stones who would be great with Lascelles, Barkley is not as good as Shelvey, and if Rafa wants these two first and not a world class striker then don’t want him either.
BillytheFish(Quote)
Billy – I’d rather have Dael Fry from Boro or Joe Rodon from Swansea over Stones. He’s not a reliable defender.
Sharpy17(Quote)
More click bait
Jeff Milne(Quote)
Don’t want any ofthem including Rafa.
Fed up hearing him ranting on about hiw his players weren’t good enough.
Boring…
Barry Wright(Quote)
Desperate for the clicks. More lies roll in every day. Sort you self out and get a jon youre good at
Kurt Miller(Quote)