Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Chronicle Live
Chronicle Live
Sport
Lee Ryder

Newcastle United aim to make 'high quality' signings next summer as Rafa Benitez's transfer pot is revealed

Newcastle United could have around £50million to spend in the next window after the club released what they describe as a "healthy" set of accounts.

Toon managing director Lee Charnley has revealed that A £178.5m turnover, transfer budget revealed and Rafa's message: What we learned from Newcastle's accounts and that there is £11million to carry over into the next trading period.

Rafa Benitez was afforded £47.7million on signings last season but the club also recouped £43.3million in sales - including Aleksandar Mitrovic's exit to Fulham for around £20million.

Newcastle also believe they saved money on the Miguel Almiron deal by sticking to their principles and not shelling out the initial £30million package that was first mooted for the Atlanta United star's services.

It is estimated that United will have a budget between £50m-£60million to spend in the summer.

Charnley said: "Our budget to strengthen the team and establish our place back in the Premier League has been circa £122million over the last two seasons, which was an initial agreed budget of £70million plus an additional £52million generated as a result of sales and outgoing loans.

"We have spent just over 90% of that - £111million - and the balance of £11million will be carried forward to supplement what we have for forthcoming transfer windows as we look to strengthen again."

United say that Mike Ashley is continuing to plough loans into the club and they won't be repayable until the club is sold.

Benitez appeared to have an idea of how much was available to spend before the financial results emerged.

Indeed, he stated only last Friday that he wasn't looking to spend or asking for "£200million" in the next window as he tried to clear up the confusion surrounding his new deal.

Ki Sung-yueng explains why fans could see very different Newcastle United approach against Southampton  

Benitez seems prepared to work with the budget he's got but he wants to see a quicker process when it comes to signings.

Newcastle want to see a change in the way transfers are done too though.

They want to revert back to the policy of bringing in players with resale value again and Mike Ashley is keen to do more deals like Yohan Cabaye who arrived for a budget £4million fee and was sold for £22.5million to Paris St-Germain.

United are telling Benitez they want "quality not quantity" which seems to be a hint that back-up players such as Javier Manquillo and Joselu have been deemed as a waste of resource in recent times.

A £178.5m turnover, transfer budget revealed and Rafa's message: What we learned from Newcastle's accounts 

Benitez feels he has an 80% success rate in the transfer window but United are concerned about buys like Achraf Lazaar, Grant Hanley and Matz Sels.

The reality is that no manager will get it right every time.

Go back to Newcastle's policy of bringing in younger players and trying to nurture them so they go on to get a bigger fee and you'll quickly find flops like Romain Amalfitano, Fabio Zamblera and the more high profile Manu Riviere to name but a few.

Newcastle insist they are trying to add "high quality" to the first team for next season.

It is believed they are keen to sign Joelinton from Hoffenheim but with a fee of around £40million that would surely take up a huge chunk of the budget.

Although, if players like Jonjo Shelvey and Isaac Hayden are sold for considerable fees the books can be balanced out on the anticipated budget.

Either way, United seem insistent they have a grand financial plan going forward - and they now want Benitez to agree to it.

Charnley said: "We all want to see the club improve and be competitive at every level in every competition.

"We are convinced that the best route to achieving this is to do so sustainably, spending on young development players and adding high quality to the first team each season - players that can really make the difference and improve the team - without risking the financial health and stability of the club."

On paper it sounds like Newcastle are prepared to go out and spend on two or three exciting signings but whether Benitez sees it the same way - and whether deals get done in slick fashion - remains to be seen.

Rafa Benitez talks about 'really difficult' situation for Jonjo Shelvey as midfielder struggles for game-time

Newcastle United sources play down talk of Matt Ritchie exit after reports of contract row emerge  

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.