Newcastle’s manager wants to sign a striker as a priority over the summer months, according to respected Newcastle daily, The Chronicle, which reports:
Benitez to prioritise signing proven forward over ‘next Ayoze Perez’
The new Perez refers to 20-year-old Nano who has been linked with the club and came through the youth ranks at Tenerife. But Rafa is said to want a more experienced striker.
The report states that:
Fulham’s Ross McCormack, Chelsea’s Patrick Bamford and AFC Bournemouth’s Lee Tomlin have all been mentioned as potential targets, while Newcastle have also been offered Crystal Palace’s Dwight Gayle.
Rafa Benitez has been heralded by many Newcastle fans as the man to get the club back on track – the man to bring a strong rudder back to a club which has been teetering on the brink for years.
And he has obviously been handsomely rewarded for staying at the club as they battle to get out of The Championship at the first time of asking. It’s quite some jump from Real Madrid, where he was managing less than a year ago.
Without wishing to apply the kiss of death TFF would be stunned if a club with these resources and with Rafa at the helm didn’t come straight back up to The Premier League next season. And if Newcastle can keep Benitez in the hotseat they may well be able to consolidate their position in the top flight this time.