Rafael Benitez is quietly preparing the next season with a list of potential transfer dealings. He said that he already has a good squad and that he wants to add more quality to it in order to challenge for the European places.

The Spanish manager has been promised an improved transfer budget by Newcastle owners and Rafael Benitez will be hoping that this time around Mike Ashley could keep his word.

The former Liverpool manager has already had to deal with three difficult transfer windows and will be hoping that this time around he could get enough money to revamp the side.

It is also reported that the manager will be looking to sell some players that are deemed to be surplus to requirement. At the top of the list, we have defender Mbemba who is reportedly attracting interest from Fc Porto. The player is currently valued at £8million and Rafael Benitez will be hoping that he can raise additional money from the sale of this player.

Some pundits believed that Rafael Benitez already has a clear idea on how to improve Newcastle United but he is being hindered by a lack of transfer budget. He has successfully managed to help them win promotion back to the Premier League and help them secured a 10th place finish last season in the top flight.

This time around he will be looking to improve this finishing position and for this, he will need to have access to more funds. So far, Mike Ashley has said that he will be giving the manager enough money to build a competitive team and we will have to wait and see whether he actually keeps his words.

Rafael Benitez has yet to sign a new deal with the club and is perhaps waiting to see whether the Newcastle United owner keeps his word.