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Rafa Benitez is determined to recruit new players to Newcastle United

By Durim Halimi

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - MAY 13: A Rafa Benitez 'Rafalution' flag is pictured during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Chelsea at St. James Park on May 13, 2018 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - MAY 13: A Rafa Benitez 'Rafalution' flag is pictured during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Chelsea at St. James Park on May 13, 2018 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) /
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Newcastle United are in a transition phase and the only way to improve the roster is with the arrival of new players this summer.

Many pundits are still stunned by the fact that the “Championship” roster of Newcastle United earned a top ten finish in the Premier League. It is true that the 2017/18 campaign was odd for several clubs, but the Magpies deserved their top half finish.

Newcastle are heavily dependent on collective effort in order to take three points against opponents. The addition of multiple players with superior skills would instantly upgrade the roster and make Newcastle more competitive.

Supporters and pundits know how desperate Rafa Benitez is for new signings this summer. A recent report from Sports Illustrated shines light on this very topic. The Spaniard truly is dedicated to bringing in new talent to elevate the status of the club.

Objective: Five Players

Sports Illustrated is reporting that Benitez skipped vacation to stay in England to focus on the transfer window. This dedication to upgrading the quality of the club is just another reason why his tenure as manager is labeled as the Rafalution.

Benitez aims to bring in five new players this summer after signing Martin Dubravka to a permanent contract. It is evident and predictable that Benitez’s primary target this summer is Kenedy. The Brazilian youngster performed well for the Magpies on loan and he, too, expressed his admiration for the club and its supporters in social media.

In addition to Kenedy, Newcastle have also been linked with a wide range of players, primarily defenders. However, Newcastle’s greatest necessity is to re-shape the front line. The club’s three strikers – Dwight Gayle, Aleksandar Mitrovic, and Joselu – will all likely be out the door this summer. The movement of these strikers would enable Benitez to spend large sums of money on their replacements.

Top Six in Sight?

Newcastle will look to upgrade their roster this summer, but will those signings make the Magpies contenders for European competitions? That is the million dollar question that will not be answered until 25 matches are played in the 2018/19 campaign. One thing that is for certain is that the arrival of new talent will improve the club’s overall record.

Next: Dubravka signs permanent deal at NUFC

Newcastle survived the 2017/18 campaign by playing with seven players who were regular starters in the Championship. This time around, Benitez wants nothing to do with a relegation battle and instead wishes to compete for a top six finish. This will be an anxious, but interesting transfer window for the Magpies as Benitez is committed to improving his squad.