Newcastle transfer news: Pepe Reina set to hand in Napoli exit request and give old pal Rafa Benitez a huge boost
Newcastle boss has struggled in the transfer market after returning to top flight but has finally caught a break with goalie
RAFA BENITEZ is counting on old pal Pepe Reina asking for a move to join troubled Newcastle.
Benitez wants his former Liverpool and Napoli keeper to follow him to the Toon to help them stay in the Premier League.
And the Spanish manager’s hopes have been boosted by word from Italy that Reina will ask for a transfer in the next few days.
Napoli would then have to sell Reina for a reasonable price — and that brings Newcastle into the race to sign him.
Benitez has waited weeks for a break with Reina and his other transfer targets but he has decided that a No 1 is a top priority for survival.
Newcastle will sell a player or two immediately to raise money if Reina comes up for sale. Keeper Karl Darlow and striker Aleksander Mitrovic can both leave.
Spanish side Malaga want Mitrovic on loan but Toon chiefs would rather take a fee.
As Newcastle prepare to visit fellow promoted side Huddersfield this afternoon, Benitez must count on all his players to be on top form — and that has meant telling Jonjo Shelvey he must grow up himself and not rely on a shrink.
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The midfielder has been using a psychologist to calm his “childish” behaviour since he was sent off for kicking out at Henri Lansbury at Nottingham Forest last season.
Shelvey, 25, was up to his old tricks against Tottenham last week — seeing red for stupidly standing on Dele Alli.
Benitez said: “If someone can help him, it would be positive. But at the same time, he has to take responsibility.
“We have to be sure in the future that he will try to have more control. We will have to see if he’s more mature and will not make the same mistakes.”
Benitez says Huddersfield have it easy compared to his side because nobody is expecting anything from them.
The Terriers have been widely tipped for the drop but they went top for 24 hours last weekend after their stunning 3-0 opening-day win at Crystal Palace.
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Benitez said: “They have the same manager, the same approach and the same advantage as last season. They have nothing to lose. Is it easier for them? 100 per cent.”
One player Benitez can rely on is Jamaal Lascelles, who is still pinching himself that he will be skippering Newcastle in the Premier League.
With Florian Lejeune injured, the centre-half will lead his side out in the top flight for the first time today.
He said: “This is something that you never even imagine as a kid.”
LIKELY LINE-UPS — HUDDERSFIELD: Lossl, Smith, Jorgensen, Schindler, Lowe, Mooy, Billing, Kachunga, Palmer, Ince, Mounie.
NEWCASTLE: Elliot, Manquillo, Lascelles, Mbemba, Clark, Merino, Hayden, Ritchie, Perez, Atsu, Gayle.