Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez confirms talks with Arsene Wenger over deal to take Lucas Perez to St James’ Park
Benitez has been frustrated with Toon transfer dealings and is hopeful of landing Perez who along with a host of players has been told he can leave the Emirates this summer
NEWCASTLE boss Rafa Benitez has dmitted he has spoken to Arsenal about signing Lucas Perez.
The Spaniard who joined the Gunners from Deportivo La Coruna has no future at the Emirates and is free to leave after one season in North London.
Newcastle are among the teams who have expressed an interest in signing Perez and Benitez has confirmed he spoke to the Frenchman about the striker at the Premier League managers meeting on Tuesday.
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Benitez told BT Sport: “I was talking with Arsene yesterday, because we had the managers meeting.
“I said, ‘Listen, we have to talk.’
“And he said ‘Do you have some money?’
“Obviously, we like good players, but it’s too soon to talk about that.”
Despite making four major signings after an immediate return to the top flight – Benitez is desperate for more additions before the window closes.
The Toon boss told talkSPORT: “At the end of the season we were ready and then we tried to sign the players we wanted and we couldn't do it for different reasons.
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"Now we are going a little bit late the market is crazy and it is not just a question of money because sometimes the money is there but the player is not available.
Benitez added: "Am I happy with the way we have done things? No. Am I frustrated? Yes. But, at the same time, I am trying to be positive.
"I am fully committed to the fans, my club, my players, and we will try to improve the squad if we can now with the players that will be available.
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"We made a couple of mistakes at the beginning [of the transfer window] and after that we clarified the situation and we are trying to do our best now because the market is so crazy. It is not easy.
"Fans are expecting we will sign a striker for £25million. We cannot do that now so we try to sign the players we need. It is not that you are signing the best possible players, you have to improve your squad.
"We made a mistake - a couple of them - and now we are paying for that because you cannot find the right player for the right price that can improve your team."
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