Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez wants to break club’s transfer record to bring in proven goalscorer this summer
Fernando Torres has been rumoured with a link-up with Benitez too, but the Magpies boss thinks he fancies a different kind of challenge
RAFA BENITEZ wants to smash Newcastle’s transfer record to sign a top-class striker this summer.
Toon have never spent more than the £16million they paid to bring Michael Owen from Real Madrid in 2005.
Unsurprisingly, that is comfortably the longest-standing club record in the Premier League — 14 teams even broke their record this season.
But Toon’s top Premier League scorer this season is Ayoze Perez with just six.
And ahead of tonight’s trip to face Tottenham, Benitez said: “If you want to bring a striker with a guarantee of more than ten to 15 goals per season, you have to pay money for sure.
“More than £16m? In this market, yes.
“Someone has to be expensive to be sure that you have the quality that you need in the Premier League.
“If you want to compete now, you have to spend some money. Does that mean you have to break the record? If it is necessary, you can do it."
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Benitez has been linked with Atletico Madrid’s out-of contract striker Fernando Torres — but believes the Spaniard fancies a new experience in a different country, possibly the MLS.
The Toon boss, who had Torres at Liverpool, said: “Fernando is a great player, he did really well for us.
“He’s an icon, and idol at Atletico Madrid but I don't know what he will do in the future.”