West Ham, Leicester & Wolves set for £43m, £20m & £18m deals...yet Rafa can't get a left-back on loan
While we struggle to complete loan deals for European rejects, mid-table Premier League trio West Ham United, Leicester City and Wolves look set to spend £43m, £20m and £18m respectively - a sign of the times under Ashley and the reason Rafa is being forced out.
These are three clubs with less to play for than ourselves. They are not going down and breaking the top six seems nigh on impossible in this day and age, yet they're STILL giving it ago - and this is just a few months after they've all spent big over the summer.
Highly regarded Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans is reportedly heading to the King Power Stadium, while Wolves are looking to the make the loan signing of full back Jonny Otto from Atletico Madrid permanent this window, having been quoted £18m for the Spnaish International.
Despite keeping star striker Marko Arnautovic, West Ham are apparently close to signing Cetla Vigo attacker Maxi Gomez for an eye watering £43m, then having the luxury of loaning him back to the Spanish side for the rest of the season! It could not be further from the conditions Rafa is being forced to work in at NUFC, as we yet again head for the end of a transfer window with zero investment from owner Mike Ashley.
Rafa has repeatedly said how we is at Newcastle for the fans, the potential of the club; but after nearly three years - it is clear the club does match his ambitions. No investment on or off the field, Benitez has rightly reached breaking point this week, as we continue to stand still in the market. We take on Manchester City tonight with no fit left back -with either Manquillo (a poor right back) or Ritchie ( a winger) forced to step in.
It is apt we face the side tonight Ashley infamously said he can't and won't compete with, but this week proves it isn't just the top six we can't match financially, it is the whole of the Premier League. All this comes a week after being named 19th in football's world rich list - you couldn't make it up.
