Rafa Benitez has revealed Newcastle United have a list of back-up options should they fail to lure their No 1 striker target - and he is “positive” the Magpies will sign a forward before the end of the transfer window.
Though the Spaniard refused to confirm Newcastle’s interest in Feyenoord forward Nicolai Jorgensen - the Magpies have had two bids rejected for the Denmark international, the most recent of which was £15million, but remain in talks with the Dutch club - he did stress that managing director Lee Charnley had been given a list of targets.
That includes striker options across a wide price range - some of which would see Newcastle break their transfer record, others who would potentially be available on loan - as well as goalkeepers, midfielders and full-backs.
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Benitez still expects his board to deliver him at least two players by Wednesday night’s deadline, with Sparta Prague goalkeeper Martin Dubravka a target too, given that Mike Ashley gave him the “green light” to recruit reinforcements last week.
Left-sided wideman Kenedy arrived on loan on Tuesday, but he remains Newcastle’s only January signing so far.
“We will not talk about names. What I said before is what I will say now: until January 31, I have to wait and hopefully we can do what we have to do,” Benitez replied when asked about Newcastle’s interest in Jorgensen ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup fourth-round clash with Chelsea.
“I am talking to Lee and I was talking to Mike so we have the green light. We are working on that. I have to be positive.
“We [myself and Charnley] talk every day, two or three times at least. It depends on the day. It’s not a question of communication. I was talking with Mike the other day to be sure that we could move forward, and then we are doing that.”
Pushed on where his positivity came from given that he also seemed confident late in the January window 12 months previously that Andros Townsend would be signed, only for the deal not to materialise, Benitez responded: “I have to be positive because still we have some days left.
“I hope and believe until January 31 that we can sign players. I have said before we need some help to be sure.
“We gave a list of names [to the board] at the beginning. We have a list and we just keep working, in different positions. We need some help so that we will be fine in these positions.
”I do not control the money. I have a list of players with different levels and different prices and that is what I am waiting for - news.
“We have to realise the Premier League is different now to two years ago. It is clear, the prices and everything is different. We have to decide if we are to compete there or not.”
Though Benitez did not confirm Newcastle’s interest in Jorgensen, he did accept the Magpies would be taking a gamble if they recruited a striker from the Dutch league.
The 27-year-old has scored 26 goals in 43 Eredivisie appearances for Feyenoord, but there is no guarantee he would immediately translate that prolific form into the English top flight.
“Obviously, any player is a risk, whether from the Premier League or from abroad. They need to settle down,” Benitez explained.
“Even Kenedy, he knows the Premier League but has to look for a house, family, everyone needs some time, Some need more, some less.
“We try to identify players abroad, we know their background and try to have as much information as we can. Whether they are professional, clever enough to understand and adapt quickly - we have all this information.
“Not just me, but I think the majority of teams have to keep an eye on the other countries because the prices are high there, but not as high as they are here.”
Meanwhile, Benitez - who admits he will “make changes” to his side at Stamford Bridge on Sunday - expects Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte to field a full-strength team given that the Blues are not out of the League Cup.
“They have a very good team and they will prepare for this game like it is the most important for them. They would do the same for the Champions League,” Benitez said.
“Now they are out of the Carabao Cup, they know it is a possibility of a title and he will put out a very, very strong team.”