Rafa Benitez will have to sell to buy this summer if he decides to stay on at low budget Newcastle United; United have been slow movers in the transfer window in the past and Benitez is desperate for that to change.
Byline: Lee Ryder
Rafa Benitez has learned he may have to sell to buy this summer if he is to make Newcastle United into the competitive unit he is aiming for next season.
A host of Premier League clubs are looking to hit the transfer market hard this summer but Newcastle are again set to approach the next two months throwing caution to the wind in a financial sense.
Benitez'sconcerns about exactly how much he has to spend are believed to be a big factor in the delay on his contract situation.
The Toon boss has questioned the ambition of United and whether the resources available to him are realistically going to be enough to transform the Magpies from relegation fodder to a top 10 outfit.
Talks between Mike Ashley, managing director Lee Charnley and Benitez have now been concluded and the Toon boss is currently back at his home in the Wirral contemplating whether to sign a contract extension put to him on May 17.
United shelled out around [pounds sterling]54million in transfers last season but top-flight rivals such as Leicester City, Everton, West Ham, Wolverhampton Wanderers and even Fulham spent closer to [pounds sterling]100million.
Benitez will be left with a kitty that is closer to half the amount of major rivals this summer, and the reality is he will need to make player sales to bolster the amount available to him.
A deal to sellJoseluto Alaves for [pounds sterling]1.7million is already at the early stages if personal terms can be agreed for the former Stoke City and Real Madrid striker.
Isaac Hayden is available for sale with bids starting at [pounds sterling]15million but if Benitez stays he may have to listen to offers for out of favour defender Ciaran Clark, Javier Manquillo and winger Jacob Murphy.
Should Benitez extend his stay he will also have to make a decision on Jonjo Shelvey - United's top earner - after the midfielder returned to the training ground in defiant mood to win his place back by starting pre-season training a MONTH earlier than his team-mates.
But Benitez barely usedShelveylast season, even when he was fit, and will be could be prepared to move him on if he is given assurances that the money will definitely be ploughed back into his transfer pot.
Benitez will also want the funds left over from January after a promise from...
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