Newcastle United risk uproar from fans if they genuinely sell star Rafa Benitez didn’t even want

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Newcastle United owners PIF risk a backlash from supporters if they cash in on Joelinton this summer. 

Joelinton is one of Newcastle United’s leading players and has been on a journey few would ever have imagined at the club. 

Newcastle paid £40million for Joelinton in 2019 and, initially, the deal looked like a complete disaster. The Brazilian was played up front at first and, after scoring only twice in his first season at Premier League level, he was derided as a flop. 

However, the appointment of Eddie Howe transformed Joelinton. Dropped into central midfield, the player flourished and has never looked back since. 

Which is why recent transfer news is so concerning. Geordie Boot Boys understands that Saudi Arabian clubs want to sign Joelinton this summer, and selling him would be a blow. Six years after Rafa Benitez didn’t want him, Newcastle can no longer do without Joelinton. 

• READ MORE: Who is Joelinton? Age, Height, Chant, Position, Socials and More

Newcastle United would be foolish to sell Joelinton even though Rafa Benitez didn’t want to sign him

According to The Times in 2019, Benitez didn’t want Newcastle to sign Joelinton before the Spaniard left the club that summer. 

While it wasn’t that the former Toon boss didn’t like Joelinton as a player, he did not believe it was worth breaking the club’s transfer record to sign him.  

Now, however, the £40million spent on Joelinton looks a bargain. Howe thinks Joelinton is “unusual” and his all-action presence in midfield would be difficult for anyone to replicate.  

Last season, the 28-year-old ranked within the top five of the Newcastle United squad for tackles, interceptions and shots per game. That kind of industry is crucial to the way Howe’s team plays.  

Joelinton is a fan favourite at Newcastle and seeing him go would be painful. Such is his level of popularity, there’d surely be some kind of backlash. 

What Joelinton said when he signed a new contract at Newcastle United in 2024

Back in April 2024, Joelinton signed a new deal at the club.

Joelinton’s Newcastle contract is a long-term one, and the fresh agreement saw him become one of the club’s highest-earning players. 

Upon signing the deal, he talked about how he wanted to stay at St James’ Park for years to come.  

“I love playing for the club. I love the club, I love the fans. We had a lot of discussions and I always wanted to be here. I’m glad to continue and I hope to have success in the years to come,” he said. 

Clearly, the money potentially on offer in the Saudi Pro League is not to be sniffed at, both for Newcastle and the player himself.  

Still, cashing in now would be a huge disappointment. Newcastle have a Champions League campaign for which to prepare, and Joelinton would no doubt be a huge part of it.