Premier League: Rafael Benitez prepares for survival battle as lack of funds prevents recruitment

Newcastle United’s primary goal of retaining Premier League status next season has been made more difficult due to the club’s lack of transfer activity, manager Rafa Benitez has said.

The Spaniard has often alluded to Newcastle’s poor transfer business, saying earlier this week that the club must “wheel and deal” as they chase realistic targets on a tight budget.

“We have to fix a target to stay up — that is it. Concentrate on staying up, and after that see where. It will be more difficult than last year,” Benitez told Chronicle Live.

 “The reality is the Premier League is difficult and every year the others spend money and bring new players. You don’t know because we finished 10th this year, we can be in the middle next season because everyone is spending,” Benitez added.

Newcastle have re-signed Kenedy on loan from Chelsea and recruited South Korea captain Ki Sung-yueng and Slovakia goalkeeper Martin Dubravka for an undisclosed fee from Sparta Prague.

Magpies owner Mike Ashley promised significant investment when the club earned promotion to the top flight in 2017 but funds have yet to materialize, leaving Benitez struggling with a thin squad. Newcastle begin the campaign with a home fixture against Tottenham Hotspur on 11 August.