Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley is eager to have a training ground summit with boss Rafa Benitez about the current transfer window, according to the Chronicle.
The newspaper reports on their website that the Sports Direct tycoon wants to have a meeting with the Spaniard in order to get a better understanding of his requirements in terms of signings for the remainder of the month.
It is believed that Benitez has been at odds with the owner and managing director Lee Charnley over money not being coughed up for certain signings – despite £22 million coming in for sales of players in previous seasons.
The manager has so far refused to talk more about extending his current contract due to this uncertainty regarding transfers.
OPINION
Ashley may have met with Benitez following the win over Cardiff on Saturday, but this is thought to have been merely a token of congratulations on the owner’s behalf. The fact that Ashley wants to hold a training ground meeting with the boss is certainly a step in the right direction, and it gives the fans some hope that at least a couple players will join forces with the club this month. Whether something positive will come out of this proposed meeting remains to be seen, but it is a sign that Ashley has recognised that there is some improvements to be made on all fronts. The report states that Benitez has been at odds with him and Charnley over January transfers, but this is the perfect opportunity to put all that to bed once and for all. The supporters will now keep a watchful eye over proceedings from here on in, as who knows how genuine Ashley is being.