Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez will have money to spend in January, according to reliable transfer journalist Alan Nixon.
Nixon, the Sun’s transfer expert, made the claim on his Twitter account on Tuesday, and said that money would be available for an ‘Almiron-type’ player.
He added that it was “ironic” as Ashley and Benitez “finally agree on one thing. Relegation a no go. Hurts Ashley. Costs Rafa his bonus.”
OPINION
Newcastle have been repeatedly linked with a move for Miguel Almiron, who is currently playing for Atlanta in the MLS in the States. The attacking midfielder would be a wonderful player and Nixon himself has said that Newcastle definitely want him. However, he has always said that money could be an issue with Newcastle not the only club interested in the 24-year-old. It sounds like money is available for Benitez but the inference in this tweet is that it might be enough to get an ‘Almiron-type’ player and not Almiron himself. That would be a disappointment, with Newcastle needing real quality to help boost their squad in the second-half of the season. It seems a bit unfair to say that Benitez is worried for his bonus if Newcastle get relegated though. He’s already a very wealthy man and he seems to genuinely love the club he’s working at. We’re not sure money would be the first thing on his mind if Newcastle go down.