OPINION
Newcastle look like they are going to have to splash the cash this summer to build a squad which is up to Rafael Benitez’s expectations for the upcoming season.
The Magpies have got one deal over the line this summer, with Christian Atsu turning his loan deal into a permanent one for £6million, as reported by the Guardian.
However, Benitez cannot expect to secure such bargains if he wants the proven Premier League talent he has been so vocal about bringing into the club.
One player that the Magpies are reportedly interested in is Southampton striker Jay Rodriguez.
The Mail claim that the 27-year-old would cost any potential suitors £15million, which would be the same amount of money that Newcastle spent in breaking the world record transfer fee when they bought Alan Shearer from Blackburn back in 1996 (ignoring inflation).
Benitez’s side are reportedly facing Premier League competition from the likes of West Brom and Burnley for the Saints’ man, but This is Futbol outlines three compelling reasons why the Magpies should blow the opposition out of the water to secure the striker with 104 top flight appearances under his belt: