Three free agents Rafael Benitez should target for Newcastle United

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Another frustrating window for Newcastle is ticking on, with Rafael Benitez continuing to have restricted funds at his disposal.

Already unpopular with the large majority of supporters, chairman Mike Ashley has done himself no favours this summer by failing to hand Benitez the money necessary to invest in the squad and it has put the Magpies under intense pressure heading into their second campaign back in the top-flight.

However, Benitez continues to shine with his back against the wall having signed former loanee Martin Dubravka for a minimal fee, landed Ki-Sung Yeung on a free transfer from Swansea City and drafting Kenedy back to Tyneside on-loan from Chelsea.

With business still to do in the market and time running out, Newcastle cannot rely on any potential sales to raise funds for new signings and should venture into the free agency market – where these three players could be a real asset.

Milan Badelj

The Croatia midfielder is looking for a new club after seeing his contract with Fiorentina expire and, fresh from finishing as a runner-up in the World Cup, the Mirror states the 29-year-old has attracted Newcastle’s interest.

With AC Milan also linked to the services of the experienced midfielder, Newcastle will certainly not have an easy task in the market if they attempt to lure Badelj to the Premier League but the offer of first-team football could be a huge incentive.

Valued at a costly £13.5 million by TransferMarkt, Badelj would certainly be a bargain for Newcastle and should become Benitez’s priority for the final weeks of the window.

Diego Reyes

Another player looking for a new club following his World Cup exploits is Mexico international defender Diego Reyes, who Sky Sports has stated is a target for Newcastle – although they face competition in the market from the likes of West Ham, Watford, Brighton and Fenerbache.

Capped 53 times by his nation, Reyes has the experience that Newcastle desperately need at the heart of their defence alongside skipper Jamaal Lascelles and the 25-year-old could craft an excellent partnership with the former Nottingham Forest man in the coming years.

Reyes, after being on the fringes at former club Porto, is seeking first-team assurances before putting pen to paper with any club and Newcastle can offer that, so a deal suits all parties.

“Clearly it was not the match we expected but we are in the next round.”

– Reyes speaks after the World Cup defeat to Sweden.

Hatem Ben Arfa

Remember him? Now 31, Hatem Ben Arfa is one of those talents where it is difficult to wonder what might have been if he kept out of trouble. His spell at Newcastle previously was certainly turbulent but fans remember him fondly.

After moving to Nice in 2016, Ben Arfa impressed back in French football by scoring 17 goals in 34 league matches but then made a debatable career move by joining Paris Saint-Germain. Faced with competition from the likes of Angel Di Maria, Julian Draxler and Neymar, he has only earned 23 league appearances in two years.

Ben Arfa is on the hunt for a new club once again and could be a tremendous asset to Newcastle’s squad if Benitez can help him rekindle the form he showed on the French Riviera in 2015. He may not be a guaranteed starter but he would provide a good option.