Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley has revealed to Sportsmail that erstwhile manager Rafa Benitez’s refusal to commit to a long-term contract could have cost the club landing record-signing Joelinton.
The Brazilian arrived from Hoffenheim for £40 million last week, but he had been on the Magpies’ radar since January.
While the Bundesliga outfit wouldn’t sell him in the winter transfer window, they told Newcastle in February they could get him early for £40 million.
However, Benitez would not give the go-ahead even though the club had the fee and personal terms agreed, and the striker had passed a medical.