Mike Ashley seems to still be digging his nose in where fans don't want him at Newcastle United, as Rafael Benitez suggested he doesn't have full control over club transfers.

What's the word?

Despite digging his heels in on Tyneside and claiming that manager's should have the deciding say on any transfer business, The Daily Mirror quotes Rafael Benitez as admitting it's 'tricky' to answer the question on whether he has full control.

The Magpies, currently battling for an immediate return to the Premier League and sitting top of the Championship, have competed valiantly this season but aren't as unbeatable as they once looked- and Brighton can seal top-spot with a positive result in their game in hand.

Mike Ashley, the unpopular owner for Newcastle, has a reputation of putting his nose in where it's not wanted and the Magpies chairman is keen for the side to sign young players with great sell-on value in the future- but Benitez also wants the option of bringing in more experienced faces.

So far, that hasn't been an issue but with Newcastle looking to bolster their squad for a title push in the second-half of the season, Benitez has had his word on the club's transfer policy.

What was said?

The Mirror quotes Benitez as admitting it's tricky to answer whether he has full control on transfers, as he said:

“My understanding is that if you have a good manager, leave him to take responsibility. "If you have a technical director, he can help a lot. But the problem is when it’s a mixture of things and the owners, especially in the ­continent, try to be in the middle, they pick the manager and not the technical director, that is when you have problems.”

“It doesn’t change anything. It’s a tricky question.  What I need is to be sure I have a list of players who we would like to sign. Hopefully before the end of the window you will be asking me about the new ­signings."

“People think I like to sign old players. [but] Our team is one of the youngest, or in the middle, in terms of average age in the ­division. I like to sign young players to develop and improve them and, at the same time, sign players we need."

Is this a concern?

Currently no, as things seem to be working. Benitez has had the majority of say in the transfer business completed so far during his spell in charge of Newcastle but there is the danger of that situation changing- which could see the Spaniard handed players he doesn't want or necessarily need.

Should that happen, it could derail the progress Newcastle have made with Benitez in charge and may upset the experienced boss- and he's the one man the Magpies simply cannot afford to lose.

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