Rafael Benitez: "Market is a little bit crazy"

Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez has admitted that his club are currently struggling to compete in a "crazy" transfer market.

Newcastle, who returned to the Premier League after winning the Championship last season, have brought winger Christian Atsu and defender Florian Lejeune to St James' Park in this summer's transfer window.

The Magpies have been frustrated in their pursuit of a number of attacking targets, however, and Benitez has conceded that it has been difficult for his club since the window opened last month.

"It's not easy for a lot of teams because the market is a little bit crazy. We have to try to do our best. The top sides have a lot of money. The other teams are spending too, but we will see what we can do," Benitez told reporters.

"We know where we are - that is not ideal because everybody wants to see a lot of players signing already, but we have to keep working and see what we can do. We can do nothing other than just keep working to find the players that we want, and hopefully we can do it."

Newcastle have been linked with a move for Norwich City attacker Jacob Murphy this week, but the latest suggestions are that Benitez's side have failed in their £8m move for the England Under-21 international.