RAFA BENITEZ has admitted that Newcastle United’s transfer policy this summer is making things harder for him than he would like.

The Newcastle boss, who also insisted he will do everything he can to keep unsettled midfielder Isaac Hayden on Tyneside despite a request to leave, is having to juggle things around in order to improve his squad.

That is a far cry from where he wanted Newcastle to be at this stage of pre-season, having successfully kept Premier League football at St James’ Park by leading them to tenth.

Benitez is reluctant to sign a new contract until he has seen the extent of Mike Ashley’s ambition and he has now entered the final 12 months of his deal.

The Spanish manager is still looking to bring in at least one new striker, two depending on sales, and a winger as priorities – and he would still, ideally, like more.

But rather than splash the cash after keeping Newcastle up, Benitez appears to be relying on selling the likes of Aleksandar Mitrovic and Matt Ritchie to boost his own spending – which has only seen Martin Dubravka, Ki Sung-Yueng and Kenedy arrive so far (only Dubravka commanded a permanent fee).

Benitez said: “The prices can go higher, we know that, we have to be realistic with our budget, then we can maybe sell some players and then buy some players, we will see.

“Maybe (we have to sell before we bring in replacements). It’s normal to think like that for us now. Unfortunately we wheel and deal, it’s the way for us.

“The point is we have to adapt, that is the situation. Are we happy with that? Obviously not 100 per cent but we will try to do our best to make sure everything is strong enough and we can compete in the Premier League.”

Benitez was chatting to Sky Sports in Ireland where his squad have been training at Carlton House.

Ritchie, the subject of an £11.5m offer from Stoke which has been rejected, is among those playing and Newcastle would be willing to listen to bids around £15m provided they can seal a deal for Crystal Palace’s Andros Townsend.

Benitez said: “We are in same position. Matt is our player, we don’t want to sell him. For him to move many things have to improve at the same time. I was talking to him this morning and I don’t see anything changing.”

It has emerged this week Newcastle have had to deal with a transfer request from midfielder Hayden. The former Arsenal youngster is interesting a number of clubs including Brighton but Benitez sees the £10m-rated man as part of Newcastle’s future.

“I don’t think we will lose Isaac because we will do what we can to help him,” said Benitez. “For the team we need players like him, young English players and we have a lot of trust in him to have a great future.”

Newcastle’s search for a striker continues, and they are understood to have tried to strike a loan deal with West Brom for Salomon Rondon with a view to full-time switch. His £16.5m release clause should have made the deal easier, although Newcastle are now being linked with Divock Origi and Danny Ings again.

Asked if he is nearer to signing a striker, Benitez said: “I am quite confident. It’s a question of when.”

And on his contract talks, Benitez added: “The last conversations … it’s just wait. I don’t want to keep talking about that. The main thing is the team and we have to make sure we are strong enough to compete and see where we are and see our ambitions.”