After a disappointing transfer window, Rafa Benitez will once again have to work wonders again to replicate last season’s 10^th place finish. 

Last season, Benitez worked with a threadbare budget and maximised the potential of a squad that on paper, shouldn’t have finished where they did.

This summer, Benitez would’ve expected heavy reinvestment in the squad but once again, that never materialised.

Although, following the sale of Mitrovic, Mike Ashley did replace him with Yoshinori Muto and Salomon Rondon on loan.

Both Fabian Schar and Federico Fernandez were both brought in to bolster the defence, Fernandez largely due to Florian Lejeune’s injury.

However, the club failed to bring in an attacking midfielder or left-back – two positions where they desperately needed some help.

Aside from incomings, Newcastle lost Mikel Merino, the aforementioned Mitrovic, and according to the Shields Gazette, Rafa Benitez has informed Lee Charnley to offer winger, Rolando Aarons on loan to a Championship side.

The Breakdown

The loan market is still open until August 31 and with Aarons failing to secure a first-team squad number, it would seem he is not in Benitez’s plans next year.

The former Bristol City winger spent the second-half of last season on loan at Italian side Hellas Verona where he made 11 appearances in Serie A.

Highly-rated during the early part of his Newcastle career, the 22-year-old has struggled to break into the first-team and secure a place.

Moreover, with Newcastle lacking a few options up front, it would seem his career at the club is more or less up in the north-east.

Thoughts Newcastle fans?