Rafa Benitez offers update on NUFC's search for a striker and clears up Aleksandar Mitrovic's future
Rafa Benitez has admitted that he is still feeling 'positive' on the transfer front despite bids being knocked back for Nicolai Jorgensen, stating that he has given a list of three options to Lee Charnley and Mike Ashley after being given the green light to sign a new striker.
Benitez also insisted that Aleksandar Mitrovic can only leave if we sign a new striker to replace him, however ruled out us selling him to a Premier League rival following Brighton's interest.
Starting with his response to question on incomings, he mentioned giving a list of 'A, B and C' striker targets. We imagine two these include Nicolai Jorgensen and Islam Slimani, but wonder who the others may be? Danny Ings? Sandro Ramirez?
Time will tell, but he did remain 'positive' in his response despite now joy with just 5 days of the window remaining:
"We have given a list with A, B & C options "
“I have had meetings with Lee Charnley every day, Mike Ashley gave us the green light to go forward.
“It’s positive, you have to be positive during the window.”
Rafa then gave a blunt response when asked about Newcastle's interest in Feyenoord's Nicolai Jorgensen:
"I don't deal with that. We have given a list with A, B & C options"
Finally, Benitez cleared up the situation regarding Aleksandar Mitrovic, stating he will only leave if we sign a new striker - also insisting that nor he or any other player will be sold to a rival Premier League rival (unless they want to offer '£50m!'):
"I have been clear with him & his agent that he will only leave if we sign players, & not to a Premier League rival."
"I see Brighton are interested, but we are not selling any player to any other PL club - unless they want to come with £50m..."
Mitrovic may be desperate to leave in a bid for first team football before this summer's World Cup, but Rafa makes a very fair point - why would we sell to our relegation rivals or without the signing of his replacement? He may not be needed at present, but that would change if Joselu/Gayle were injured.
5 days to go folks - feeling confident?
