Newcastle transfer impasse goes on as Benítez and Ashley play waiting game | Louise Taylor

The manager wants to sign players, the owner is holding back the cash – it’s a familiar tale at St James’ Park yet the stubbornness of both could see them last another season

It is never too early for a crisis at Newcastle United. Sure enough, tensions are already rising alarmingly as Rafael Benítez enters the final year of his contract against a backdrop of acute transfer market parsimony on the part of the owner, Mike Ashley. Meanwhile the club’s internecine politics are capable of making the Brexit machinations seem an innocent playground squabble. Given that Newcastle are in profit on summer transfer dealings, Benítez is predicting a looming relegation battle. He had envisaged having around £45m to spend but has now been told he must sell to buy.

Related: Transfer roundup: West Ham set to sign Felipe Anderson for club record £33.5m

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