OPINION
For the second successive summer, Newcastle United fans – as well as manager Rafael Benitez – were left frustrated about the lack of spending from Mike Ashley in the transfer window despite some big figure departures.
With what seems to be a sell-to-buy policy at St James’ Park, the exits of Chancel Mbemba, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Matz Sels and Mikel Merino, among others, were not enough to see the club break their record transfer fee, a milestone which has stood since 2005, while they were also forced to resort to a loan deal for the striker they desperately needed in the shape of Salomon Rondon.
Of those who left, it was perhaps Merino’s departure which left Newcastle fans the most disappointed, with the Chronicle claiming that Real Sociedad had activated a £10million release clause, leaving the Magpies with no option to fight for his stay.
However, revealing the details about his exit, the Spaniard, who was on £35,000-a-week at Newcastle (Source: Spotrac), revealed that a number of elements about the Spanish side made the move attractive – comments which should be a stark warning to the north east outfit over their transfer future.
He told the Chronicle: “The facilities, the people around and the culture, the kind of people who are here and this environment – it is ideal, and I feel very comfortable.
“It is always a joy to be able to talk to people from the football environment because they are very productive talks and help a lot. I realised that it was a good choice, not only for the team-mates and the club, also in general.”
While St James’ Park is one of England’s most revered stadiums, the training facilities on Tyneside are a cause for concern, and the fact that Merino believes those in Spain to be better, despite the vast amounts of money Newcastle get from the Premier League, is hardly going to convince either new signings to join, or current players to stay if an offer comes in.
As for the culture – well Mike Ashley has sucked any sort of footballing joy out of the halls of the club, and it is no wonder a man of the Spaniard’s talents and aspirations moved on.
His comments about his exit might come across as sincere, but really they prove Newcastle are in for serious heartache when it comes to new recruits and current stars.