NUFC make move for defender - but Rafa's now been told why he can't have him - Unbelievable

The Chronicle have confirmed that Rafa is interested in signing Ajax let-back Nicolas Tagliafico, however they claim that his £8m asking price means he may be forced to look elsewhere - with Benitez being forced to work with a 'limited' transfer budget.

If true, doesn't this just sum up life under Mike Ashley.

We've just sold Aleksandar Mitrovic for £22m - meaning we've took in over £40m in sales already this summer (spending just £17m so far) - yet we can't afford to pay £8m for a full international left-back. Pathetic.

The Argentinian was strongly linked with a move to Tyneside in the final few days of August last year, but instead completed a £3.5m move to Ajax in January 2018 - showing just how cheap Rafa could've had him for less than 12 months ago!

Here's what Lee Ryder's had to say on Rafa's interest in the left-back.

"Newcastle United have an interest in Argentina international Nicolas Tagliafico of Ajax.

"But his £8million price tag plus the demands of the player’s agent could push the deal out of United’s reach with Rafa Benitez still working with a limited budget.

"Benitez likes the left-back and he has been on his database for some time, but he is also trying to sign a striker, a number 10 and a centre-half in light of Florian Lejeune’s horror injury.

"Benitez wants extra cover for Paul Dummett and the 5ft 7in Ajax man fits the bill for the Toon boss.

"Although, the reality seems to be that Newcastle can’t stretch to a deal for the 25-year-old as players in other key positions will take up the remainder of the manager’s budget."

With the lack of money spent so far (£17m on five deals as it stands) and all the money we've taken in (Mitrovic £22m, Merino £10m, Mbemba £6m, Sels £3.5m PLUS money from the Premier League), I'll never know how Benitez hasn't got the money to spend £8m.

The worst part is, Tagliafico is a player Benitez is believed to have wanted this time last summer - and he was available for about half the price back then! Another reason why the club's transfer policy will have Rafa banging his head against the wall.

These tweets in reaction to the news just sum it up for me.

https://twitter.com/kezthompsonnn/status/1023969474771333121

https://twitter.com/BlackWhiteBarmy/status/1023976662113968133

Over £40m take in from player sales, a Premier League payment (of at least £40m in the bank) and just £17m spent so far. Remind me why Rafa must work on such a 'limited budget' please Mike?

He'll get 'every penny generated' by the club he said in May. Yeah right..