Newcastle to look outside of England for transfer help - Benitez

Newcastle will look outside of England for transfer options this January, according to manager Rafa Benitez.

The Magpies started the Premier League season terribly, drawing just three matches through the month of October.

However, the start of November saw Newcastle notch their first two wins of the season and escape the relegation zone.

Reinforcements in January are necessary to make certain the club remains in the top flight, but Benitez admitted the club’s options in England are somewhat limited due to having Kenedy and Salomon Rondon already on loan.

“As far as the transfer window, with the budget and all these things, the first thing is to find the right players because you cannot bring players from the Premier League on loan as we have two players already,” Benitez said.

“We have to see abroad and see where we can maybe buy players from. Instead of doing that, you have to look for the players that you want – and then analyse who we can, or cannot, sign.

"At the moment it is too early, but we are working on names and players. Still though we do not have 'this one' that we are going for him because it is a little too early."

Buying from English clubs is not totally out, according to Benitez, but the club is casting a wide net, looking beyond the Premier League for their transfer options.

Benitez cited the club’s signing of starting goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, who joined last January, as an example of a player from outside the top leagues who has become a big contributor to the Magpies.

In fact, the manager said they are even looking beyond Europe, keeping an eye toward the Americas and Asia for possible targets.

"We try to see everywhere if we can,” Benitez added. “Apart from England – although we are also watching England – we are looking for options everywhere.

"We have to see everywhere because we have to consider who we can buy or loan or whatever. It's just to bring the players that, in your opinion, will be better for your squad and give you something different.

"Martin was an example from the Czech league, but we are watching every league; not just in Europe, either, we are watching America and all over. We are watching everything. America, South America, Asia - everything. We have a player from Japan, another from South Korea, so we know we can find players from everywhere.

"The teams at the top of the table in different leagues, it is very rare that the player will come here. It has to be someone that maybe you know, or know their agent, or you have some connection in some way.

"But it's quite difficult, so you have to see every league around the world, see the options, and then the first thing is: 'OK, this is the player. Can we buy them? Can it be a loan?' All these questions, but first we must find the players."

Newcastle visit Burnley on Monday, looking to make it three straight wins in the Premier League.