Newcastle United face familiar Rafa Benitez transfer…

Newcastle United face familiar Rafa Benitez transfer problem but history won't repeat itself

October's £300m takeover ushered in a new dawn on Tyneside but the same panic-inducing transfer problems of old seemingly still remain at Newcastle United. Top targets identified, pursued and ultimately missed out on as the Magpies grapple with a brief transfer impasse at present.

Bayer Leverkusen's Moussa Diaby and Real Sociedad's Alexander Isak look slightly out of Newcastle's price range at present, while Hugo Ekitike opted to snub a move to the north east of England for the biggest club in his native country. Odd, that.

Newcastle's transfer team are working behind the scenes to ensure Eddie Howe isn't left wanting in any position heading into the new season. But this is by no means a new phenomenon in these parts, as former managers will affirm.

Rafa Benitez knows only too well how it feels to go into a season without your desired additions. Time and time again he reluctantly bought into Mike Ashley's empty promises only to be let down and frustrated in the market.

The Spaniard often had to settle for second or third-choice targets as his grand ambitions for the club were stamped out by those at the top. Javier Manquillo, Yoshinori Muto and Joselu were all brought in despite Benitez aiming for a higher calibre of player.

“When you sign some players, it depends on the money you have and the necessity of the position. If you have to sign a full-back when you know you already have one, then you cannot spend massive money," Benitez teased when Manquillo arrived.

“Could we sign better players? Maybe we could go to the market and spend £15million, £20million or £40million on a full-back, but we cannot, so we have to manage what we have, and I’m quite happy with both of them. We have two players for this specific position.”

You'd suspect there will be no such repeat of Benitez's frustrations this summer. Promises made to Howe will be kept by the new-and-improved Newcastle hierarchy.

While the current transfer problem has plagued Newcastle in the past, this time they have the means and the desire to change it. If top targets can't be signed, the club have the financial ammunition to move on to other options that still represent real quality and experience.

It's unlikely that players of Muto and Joselu's ilk will be brought in should Newcastle become desperate for bodies in the latter stages of the window. Howe is determined to improve the level of his squad but has publicly backed those he has chosen to stay to do a job if called upon next season.

It should also be remembered that Newcastle have enjoyed a stellar window so far, despite the minor setbacks in the search for a striker this week. £60m of defensive talent has been added to the ranks and six weeks remain for the Magpies to do business at the other end of the pitch.

Newcastle may miss out on their most desired targets in the short-term as they aim to climb the table. But foundations are being laid off the pitch and the morale around the camp is buoyant. The minor setbacks currently plaguing Newcastle may well be a distant footnote by the time the summer window slams shut.

Newcastle United face familiar Rafa Benitez transfer problem but history won't repeat itself

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