The 27-year-old is set to become Newcastle’s sixth capture since the end of last season after passing a medical and agreeing terms on a £50,000-a-week move to the North-East.
But busy boss Benitez wants to take his number of new recruits into double figures before the transfer deadline and the end of this month.
Former Spain Under-21 international Joselu is keen to kick-start his Premier League career after being farmed out by Stoke on loan last season to Deportivo la Coruna.
That came after a disappointing first season in the Potteries when he scored four goals in 22 league appearances following a £5.75m move from Hannover in 2015.
Despite Toon owner Mike Ashley warning that he won’t spend big to boost the club’s bid to re-establish itself in the top flight after winning promotion, Benitez is also confident of pushing through a loan deal for Chelsea’s Brazilian midfielder Kenedy.
The Spaniard is also keen on £3m-rated Legia Warsaw central defender Michal Pazdan, Arsenal striker Lucas Perez and Udinese’s 32-year-old Greece international keeper Orestis Karnezis, who is available for £3.5m.
Out in the cold quartet Manu Riviere, Massadio Haidara, Tim Krul and Jack Colback are all expected to leave in the next few days to make way for further new arrivals over the next fortnight.
Benitez has been boosted by news that crocked Toon duo Florian Lejeune and Paul Dummett are set to return after next month’s international break.
The pair limped out of the 2-0 opening game defeat to Tottenham - Dummett pulling a hamstring and French debutant Lejeune damaging ankle ligaments after being on the receiving end of a nasty scissor challenge from England striker Harry Kane.
It was feared the defenders could be out for a lengthy spell to add to Benitez’s worries as he tries to get the best out his wafer-thin squad.
But after initial assessments, the club’s medical staff are hopeful the two players will be back in contention for the trip to Swansea on September 10.
That means they will miss Sunday’s trip to fellow Premier League new boys Huddersfield and West Ham’s visit to St James’ Park a week later.
Skipper Jamaal Lascelles and Chancel Mbemba are set to deputise in the back four against David Wagner’s side at the John Smith’s Stadium.
A Newcastle club statement said: “Assessments by the club’s medical staff are continuing in order to establish the full extent of their injuries,
“Both players are expected to be out for a number of weeks, rather than months.”
