Newcastle’s £17.5m bid for Sampdoria midfielder Dennis Praet is reportedly rejected
Toon chief Rafa Benitez is frustrated against in his attempts to strengthen their squad after no points from two games
NEWCASTLE have reportedly had a £17.5million offer for Sampdoria midfielder Dennis Praet turned down.
Manager Rafa Benitez is sure the Championship winners need strengthening, especially after losing both their Premier League games so far.
The 23-year-old shone in Serie A last season after five years with Anderlecht.
Newcastle's latest transfer misfortune follows SunsSport's revelations that Benitez was expecting to splash out far more than the £36.4m he has spent so far this summer.
Magpies owner Mike Ashley had told him he could spend “every last penny the club generates”.
But Ashley then said in an interview that that “Rafa knows” the budget and that the club “won’t generate enough” cash to compete with top teams.
Benitez responded by saying: “He knows what he told me and what I was thinking.
“I know what he said and I know what the fans think about the interview.
“But I know if I keep talking about that, I will not change anything.";
And after fellow promoted club Huddersfield beat them 1-0 at the weekend, Benitez said: "We have to learn quickly. Maybe it’s too soon for us.";
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