The Hammers have made Benitez their No 1 choice to replace David Moyes, while Russian giants Zenit St Petersberg have identified the 58-year-old as Roberto Mancini’s successor. Both would be willing to meet the £6m buy-out clause in his contract, with the Hammers ready to make a formal approach given any encouragement from Benitez’ people. […]
Tag: Benitez
Newcastle transfer news: Rafa Benitez 'confident' of pulling off deadline day deals
Newcastle’s only signing this month so far has been the loan acquisition of Chelsea defender Kenedy. Express Sport understands Benitez has held crisis talks with owner Mike Ashley in a bid to secure some fresh talent with the Magpies 15th in the table and above the relegation zone on goal difference. But speking ahead of […]
Newcastle transfer news: Rafael Benitez hoping to broker loan deal on deadline day
Benitez has been battling with Newcastle owner Mike Ashley to release funds in order for him to bring in some fresh faces to his relegation-threatened side. There have been suggestions the Spaniard could be forced out the door due to a lack of funds available to him. He already missed out on Daniel Sturridge who […]
Newcastle News: ‘God’ Rafa Benitez slammed by Jamie Carragher for being too negative
The Toon have started the season poorly, losing to Tottenham 2-0 on the opening day and 1-0 to fellow promoted side Huddersfield yesterday. Benitez has been vocal in his unhappiness at the transfer business he has been able to complete at Newcastle this summer. But Carragher, who played under Benitez for six years whilst the […]
Newcastle transfer news: Rafa Benitez admits he is not happy with club business
Benitez has made a number of signings, headlined by the £12million capture of Jacob Murphy from Norwich and Florian Lejeune from Eibar for £8.7m. But the Spaniard admits he is frustrated that more has not been done to improve last season’s Championship winners ahead of Sunday’s opener against Tottenham. “I am not happy but at […]
Rafa Benitez confirms interest in bringing Pepe Reina to Newcastle
The pair worked together at Liverpool before Reina was sent on loan to Napoli for three seasons and then signing on a permanent deal. Reina, 34, is said to be unhappy with life at Napoli, even though they finished third in Serie A this term to qualify for the Champions League. Benitez reckons Reina’s experience […]
Rafa Benitez on Dwight Gale injury blow and what went wrong against Sheffield Wednesday
A win would have sent Newcastle back to the top of the Championship and also put them potentially within three points of sealing promotion back to the Premier League. But Sheffield Wednesday instead completed a league double over Newcastle thanks to second-half headers from Tom Lees and Steven Fletcher. And a frustrated Benitez said: “It […]
Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez planning shock move for Sunderland star
Defoe has been in stunning form for Sunderland this season despite their wretched campaign under David Moyes. The 34-year-old has netted 14 goals from 30 games and also earned a recall to the England squad last month. His contract at Sunderland expires in the summer and, with the Black Cats 10 points adrift of safety, […]
Rafa Benitez: What I really think about Newcastle's win over Brighton
Brighton were leading the top-of-the-table clash through Glenn Murray’s controversial penalty, given after Ciaran Clark was harshly adjudged to have pulled down the striker in the box. But a freak goal by Mo Diame hauled Newcastle level nine minutes from time. The midfielder deflected the ball into the top corner after Christian Atsu’s miskicked shot. […]