Newcastle are lucky that Spanish boss Rafa Benitez has patience, as any other top-level coach may have walked away from the Magpies by now. The reason would not be the club or the support.
The main reason for a boss to leave would be the complete lack of financial backing from the clubs owner Mike Ashley. The Magpies have already signed Ki Sung-yueng on a free transfer, while winger Kenedy returned on loan from Chelsea and Martin Dubravka on a permanent basis after a successful loan spell.
However, the north east club had failed to spend much money until recently, with Swiss centre-back Fabian Schar arriving from Deportivo for a fee of around £3million. Even that deal was a cut-price one, but it’s a start for the north east side.
Schar could be a bargain
Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct is famous for their bargains and it seems the Magpies could have pulled off a bargain buy of their own in Schar. The 26-year-old is highly-rated in the European game.
Some will say if he is so highly rated why did he only cost £3million. The answer is simple really, the fee was a relegation release clause, and Depor suffered relegation to the Segunda last season.
Schar is developing into a decent defender, who is also good on the ball. The Swiss international did not enjoy a great season for Depor in La Liga. However, Schar is still a solid defender. He also produced good displays for his national side at World Cup.
Newcastle cannot really fail with this move. They have signed a talented defender with plenty of room for improvement for a ridiculously low fee by modern standards.
In talks to sign Mainz forward
It seems that Ashley might dust off the club chequebook once more to sign Japanese international forward Yoshinori Muto, as the BBC are reporting the Magpies have agreed a deal of around £9.5million with Bundesliga club Mainz for the striker.
The 26-year-old helped his club avoid relegation, scoring eight times in the German top-flight. He is highly versatile, as he can play as a central striker or out wide, which could be valuable for the Magpies next season.
The north east side scored just 39 Premier League last season, and signing a new striker will have been a priority for the Magpies this summer. Whether Muto fits the bill remains to be seen.
Newcastle unlikely to spend big this summer
Newcastle were never going to spend big this summer under the ownership of Mike Ashley. For years, the Magpies fans have asked the owner to invest money in the club, and instead, he has just relied on the coaching acumen of Benitez.
The signings of Kenedy, Dubravka and Schar all look like shrewd ones. However, they are all probably courtesy of Benitez’s managerial knowledge. If Newcastle does well next season, it will be down to the Spanish boss.
The amount that the Spaniard is allowed to spend is pitiful compared to some of their rivals. Newcastle have such big potential and a good boss. It just a shame that the owner does see fit to make the Magpies a force to be reckoned with by any financial backing.
Where will Newcastle finish in season 2018/19?
