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Rafa Benitez makes offers for two forwards – Report

6 years ago
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Wednesday morning brings a report of Rafa Benitez making offers for two Premier League strikers.

The January transfer window now in its third day and up to now the rumour mill very quiet.

However, the Northern Echo state that Newcastle have put in two loan bids.

Rafa did say ahead of the window that he wanted signings in by 15 January or at the very latest, 20 January.

The Northern Echo:

Rafael Benitez remains determined to land a new striker before the transfer window closes at the end of the month, and has lodged loan offers for Leicester’s Islam Slimani and Liverpool’s Danny Ings.’

Danny Ings will surely head out of Liverpool in January, most likely on loan.

The former Burnley striker has only made 11 Premier League starts for Liverpool since arriving two and a half years ago and this season has managed only 11 minutes in two substitute appearances.

Injuries have played a major part in him being missing in previous seasons but Ings has played regularly for the reserves this season and looks on his way out. In his time at the club Liverpool’s sights have been raised and when they next strengthen, the scousers will looking above and beyond his level.

Not that he isn’t a decent target for Newcastle but with any number of clubs reported to be after him, it is difficult to see NUFC winning any ‘race’, certainly not if it is Mike Ashley controlling the purse strings.

As for Islam Slimani, it was assumed he would be definitely be leaving this month, and that might well still be the case, but a surprise selection on Monday has complicated things.

With Jamie Vardy injured, Slimani started and scored in the 3-0 win over Huddersfield, the likes of big summer signing Iheanacho left on the bench.

Even if the Algerian international does leave, it looks sure to be on a permanent deal. He turns 30 in the summer and there would be no logic in Leicester not cashing in now if he is going to leave. Monday’s match was only his second Premier League start of the season, though he did score four goals in three League Cup appearances.

With plenty of clubs at the bottom end of the table ready to gamble and spend money to try and bring in goals, what position will Rafa Benitez be in to compete for the likes of Ings and Slimani, or any other targets on the horizon?

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