Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has been left frustrated with the club’s recent transfer business, according to Sky Sports.
The news outlet claims that the Magpies boss is perplexed that their January business was left so late into the window after he had drawn up a list of transfer targets.
It is understood that 57-year-old wanted to sign left-sided flyer Kenedy in the summer, but had to wait until January to get him on loan from Chelsea.
The report further details that the loan signing of Islam Slimani from Leicester City was not a priority and only the fourth or fifth choice option for Benitez.
Newcastle are currently just a point above the drop zone and will hope that their new additions can make the difference in the fight against relegation.
They host Manchester United at St James’ Park on Sunday in the Premier League and are in desperate need of a positive result.
OPINION
It was a miserable January window for Benitez on the whole and he has been unable to bring in the type of quality to his squad that he needed. Newcastle are now likely to be battling the drop for the rest of the campaign and it remains to be seen whether they have enough quality to stay in the division. Kenedy looks like a very positive signing after making a bright start at his new club and his quality looks a bonus in the final third. Meanwhile, Slimani is still waiting to make his Newcastle debut and has huge expectations on his shoulders after proving in the past that he can be prolific in front of goal.