Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has sacrificed a summer holiday to remain at the club and try to push through as many as five more signings this summer, according to the Chronicle.
The north east paper claim that the Spaniard has chosen not to follow many of his players in taking a trip overseas in the break between the end of the campaign and pre-season, and has instead stayed to work on securing some new recruits during the transfer window.
Following Martin Dubravka’s capture on Wednesday, the goalkeeper turning his loan move into a permanent stay, it is stated Benitez is already working on a second deal as he looks to bring in five new players, with a budget of around £40million at his disposal.
Opinion
Not that there would have been many, but anyone who doubted Benitez’s commitment to the cause at St James’ Park has no leg to stand on any more. There was probably no one more deserving of a holiday than Benitez after his work helped not only keep the Magpies in the Premier League but pushed them to a top 10 finish, but he is already focused on making sure the club are prepared for next season. Getting Dubravka over the line seemed to take longer than expected but now the ball is rolling, there will be hope that Newcastle see another face or two through the door before pre-season kicks off. If that is the case, then Benitez’s dedication will have paid off, and with as many as five more signings expected, the Toon Army might actually enjoy this summer transfer window. However, anything can happen at Newcastle, and there will be a sense of trepidation as they march on towards the next campaign.