Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez has revealed the club have already identified a number of transfer targets for the winter and summer transfer windows, reports the Chronicle.
However, he claims that does not mean that the team will become complacent, and they are 100% focused on achieving promotion from the Championship this season. Despite having an eye on the future, Benitez maintains he is taking each game as it comes and is in preparation for the visit of Brentford this weekend.
The former Real Madrid boss has explained that he has had discussions with Newcastle managing director Lee Charnley regarding recruitment. In their meeting, Benitez and Charnley discussed matters such as the club's academy and scouting process.
LOAN WATCH: Trio on target in the #EFLTrophy
?? https://t.co/R5KbqWr454 #NUFC pic.twitter.com/k7Ry6uAfnh
In terms of Newcastle United's future, they have several young players out on loan right now who are performing well.
For any fans that may be worrying, but Benitez has explained that he is "concentrating on the present" and suggested, "the fans have to be confident that we are doing our jobs".
As much as focusing on the here and now is important, Benitez has suggested that club management is working to ensure success in the long term as well as the short term.
He said: "The fans have to be confident that we are doing our jobs. But at the same time, we are also thinking about January, and even the season after that."
Benitez is known for his rotation policy - which he has used at previous clubs - although as expected, some fans are not happy with some of his squad selections. This is something that Benitez accepts as part and parcel of being a football manager.
"If I pick on player, some fans will ask why I didn't pick a different one instead. That is normal. I can accept that. I can understand why fans are saying: "?Why he doesn't he pick this one or that one?'"?
Benitez has said that "you cannot keep everyone happy in football", but the fans need to trust his selection policy and his experience. He insists that he is "trying to manage the football club in a way that everybody is expecting."
"I think the fans are happy with that, but I am also happy if they want to criticise the manager for the way he picks the team," he added.
While some fans may be unhappy with Benitez's methods, they are still selling out away games on a regular basis, and it is important that they keep doing this to help the team achieve their promotion target.