Newcastle put Argentina star Nicolas Tagliafico on list of left-back targets

Ecuador full-back Cristian Ramírez, 23, who joined Russian club Krasnodar from Ferencvaros, is among the alternatives thought to have been offered to Newcastle recently.

But Benitez is in a difficult situation at the moment.

He wants to splash out quickly but has also been told by club owner Mike Ashley and the board to stop moaning about lack of funds.

Benitez plans to free up cash by selling sell Morocco left-back Achraf Lazaar before the window shuts, just one season after he arrived from Serie A side Palermo.

Genoa are understood to lead the chase for Lazaar, ahead of Bologna, Atalanta and Spaniards Real Betis.

Any pressure or frustration Benitez feels will have eased a little after Saturday's impressive 3-0 home win over West Ham.

Newcastle bagged their first goals and points of the season at the third attempt, thanks to Joselu, Ciaran Clark and substitute Alexsandar Mitrovic.

Benitez, though, still hopes to add to his five summer signings.

So far he has brought in Atletico Madrid right-back Javier Manquillo, Stoke striker Joselu, Ghana wideman Christian Atsu from Chelsea, SD Eibnar centre-back Floriaan Lejeune and Norwich winger Jacob Murphy.

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