Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez to have limited transfer funds if Mike Ashley is still owner in January window
Spaniard has set-up the 'scouting shed' at the club's training ground, but his plans could be severely limited if the Magpies are still under the current ownership
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RAFA BENITEZ'S transfer fund will be severely limited in January if Mike Ashley is still Newcastle's owner.
Amanda Staveley and the PCP Partners group are currently in the process of due diligence as they attempt to buy the Magpies.
Unlike last January, Benitez will be backed this year in the market but the funds available could be enough to bring in only one top signing, according to the Chronicle.
Benitez and Toon chiefs are also looking at the loan market as they attempt to identify and recruit players to help bolster the squad.
And a striker is believed to be their No1 target in two months time.
However, should the current regime remain in charge then Benitez will be given access to the huge Premier League TV money into the club, but will have to wait until next summer to get his hands on it.
Ashley has already made it clear he will no longer continue to plough funds into the club due to his desire to sell.
Benitezand his scouting team are already working to finalise a shortlist for January targets and have set-up a "scouting shed" to the main building at their Benton training ground.
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A number of agents have already offered them a number of targets, including the likes of Atletico Madrid's former Liverpool and Chelsea forward Fernando Torres and Barcelona goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen.
But both of the La Liga stars are earning considerably more than the current wage structure at St James' Park allows and appear to be out of the Magpies' reach.
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Cenk Tosun, rated at £18million by Besiktas, is someone Newcastle hold a firm interest in but they may have to offload in order to raise enough cash to sign him.
Out of favour frontman Aleksandar Mitrovic, who is desperate for regular football ahead of the World Cup, is one man who will attract interest.
He is valued at £15m, and Benitez could opt to offload him in order to bring in another striker.
