‘Bale anyone’ - Newcastle fans speculate over summer window in response to Benitez’s wishlist

The Newcastle fans in the Transfer Tavern have been getting excited over the summer transfer window after reading their Spanish gaffer’s wishlist. The ex-Real Madrid and Liverpool boss reportedly (as per the Chronicle) wants to bring in a right-back, central midfielder, winger and proven goalscorer to St James Park as the Magpies target an improvement on this season’s 10th-placed Premier League finish.

https://twitter.com/toontransfer/status/1000669138875043840

Transfer windows at Newcastle have always been tense affairs. Mike Ashley’s stranglehold on the club is never more apparent to the fans as it is when he’s refusing to make funds available, although this summer could be different. Rafa Benitez’s future has been one of the fan’s key talking points and the Spaniard has made it clear that he wants to stay in the Northeast, but only if he has assurances over the club’s transfer budget from Ashley.

Over the last few transfer windows, Benitez has had to be coy. In January the 58-year-old brought in three loan signings: Islam Slimani, Martin Dubravka and Kenedy. Whilst Slimani failed horribly owing to injury and suspension, Kenedy and Dubravka were outstanding successes in their time as Geordies. The Slovakian shot-stopper looks destined to sign permanently, which would be a great coup for the Magpies, although Chelsea’s Brazilian winger Kenedy will be harder to prise away from Stamford Bridge on a permanent basis.

You can read our local Magpies’ verdict on Benitez’s transfer plans here:

Bale anyone?

— Lee Vincent (@Vinny58) May 27, 2018

Rafa’s proved he can find bargains, especially from abroad, apart from a proven striker I think he can make whatever money he’s given go a bloody long way, loans/free’s also an option. They just need to get moving.

— SwampyNUFC (@swampthing_71) 28 May 2018

So, Benteke, Kenedy, Shaqiri and that Rb from Argentina. Dubravka mus have signed already.

— ⚪alle⚫ (@ToonyAlex) May 27, 2018

https://twitter.com/DanSnowden/status/1000676793945387008

Hope they are better than Joselu , manquillo and Atsu wot he was thinking when he brought that lot in

— justin v taylor (@taylormelanie4) May 27, 2018