Exit-linked Newcastle United duo Matt Ritchie and Isaac Hayden are likely to remain at the club this summer, Rafael Benitez revealed today (Tuesday).
Sky Sports correspondent Keith Downie quoted the Magpies manager on his personal Twitter account as expressing confidence in an interview that the senior pair will not be sold.
With the window due to shut in just over three weeks, Benitez explained of the pair that “too many things have to happen at the same time” for the Richie and Hayden deals to be finalised.
Rafa Benitez confident he’ll hold on to both Ritchie & Hayden before the transfer window closes. “To do a transfer, too many things have to happen at the same time,” he says.
— Keith Downie (@SkySports_Keith) July 17, 2018
OPINION
Like many top-flight managers, Benitez does not always reveal the absolute truth when speaking to the media about transfers. But, it has to be taken at face value when he says he does not expect either of Ritchie or Hayden to leave. Right-winger Ritchie has been strongly linked with a £15million move to Stoke City by the Sun and many other outlets, while Sky Sports reported over the weekend that central midfielder Hayden has handed in a transfer request in a bid to accelerate a summer move. Both players were key squad men last season and it appears that Benitez will not allow either of them to go unless he is given the money to bring in replacements of equal or superior calibre. There are likely to also be internal politics involved, as the club might not be willing to allow the Spaniard to spend big on new signings until he signs the new contract that has been on the table since the end of last season.