Rafael Benitez says Newcastle may need to break transfer record to buy a striker

By Richard Cooke

Tuesday 8 May 2018 23:19, UK

Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez admits he may have to break the club's transfer record this summer if he is to buy a striker who can score 15 goals a season.

The Magpies head into their penultimate game of the campaign at Tottenham on Wednesday evening having secured their top-flight status despite their leading scorer, Ayoze Perez, having managed only six Premier League goals.

Speaking ahead of the game, the Spaniard said: "If you want to bring a striker with a guarantee of more than 10-15 goals per season, you have to pay money for him for sure."

Asked if that would cost the club more than the £16m they paid Real Madrid for Michael Owen in 2005, Benitez replied: "In this market, yes."

Newcastle are currently trying to persuade Benitez to extend his stay at St James' Park as he prepares to enter the final year of his existing contract.

Assurances over what he will have to spend and his freedom to do so are forming a key part of the ongoing discussions, which are complicated by the fact that the club remains up for sale.

However, he insists he has no problem working to a budget and would not smash the club's transfer record for the sake of it.

He added: "I have been unlucky because normally I like to coach players, to improve players, and that means sometimes that the owners don't spend too much.

"I was always concerned and taking care of the numbers. I was learning in England to work with a business plan - you have to have a realistic business plan and then if you know that, you have to work on that.

"Does that mean you have to break the record? If it is necessary, you can do it. But if it's not necessary, it's just to be sure you have the funds to compete."

Newcastle will be looking to cement their place in the top half of the table in the next five days. They are 10th ahead of the game at Spurs which is followed by a season finale at home to Chelsea.