Newcastle lining up £15m Benfica midfielder Rafa Silva should coronavirus lockdown not wipe out transfer kitty
NEWCASTLE want to sign Benfica’s midfield playmaker Rafa Silva — but the move is on hold.
The Toon were working on a project to land Silva, who has been in and out of the side and looking for a possible move away.
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Benfica wanted £25million for the Portugal ace at his peak, but the Geordies hoped to beat them down to £15m.
Silva, 26, has made 21 appearances for Benfica this term but could be available as he may be past his sell by date in Lisbon.
The creative attacking star looks ideal for the Premier League, but Newcastle wanted to see him play more before committing.
And with the Portuguese season currently in lock down, that has hit their plans hard — along with Newcastle’s own financial issues.
The Toon still have a couple of large installments to pay on some of their signings from last summer.
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LATICS IN CHINESE TAKEAWAY
WIGAN players are under pressure to take a 50 per cent wage deferral by the club’s Chinese owners.
The Latics’ money-men claim their businesses have been hit hard because they focus almost exclusively on hotels and casinos.
However, the players think the proposal is too severe and want a 25 per cent cut instead.
There is also a chance the club will have to sell one of their best youngsters to balance the books — with Joe Gelhardt the obvious main asset.
Everton have been linked with the winger, 17, who has burst on to the scene this season.
He shone for the Lactics’ youth team side and since then several big name clubs were after him…many describing him as the next Wayne Rooney.
Southampton were the first club to announce that their players have agreed to defer part of their salaries.
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The Saints have also made clear that they won’t be taking up the government’s furlough scheme and all staff not deferring their salaries will still get all of their pay.
West Ham were the second club to say their players will defer part of their wages.
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