RAFAEL BENITEZ has admitted that he is very close to completing his summer recruitment after Newcastle United successfully pulled off deals for two more signings.

Former Sunderland striker Daryl Murphy has signed a two-year deal and claimed it was a "no brainer" when he learned of Newcastle's interest.

And Palermo defender Achraf Lazaar has also successfully passed a medical after watching Saturday's victory over Brighton at St James’ Park. Newcastle are just waiting for the Italian club to send through the paperwork to conclude things.

The pair’s arrivals means Benitez has signed 11 new players since the end of last season and he is still looking at a new winger before the transfer window closes on Wednesday night, with Chelsea's Christian Atsu on his radar. Everton midfielder James McCarthy has also been linked.

Moussa Sissoko and Cheik Tiote, who is in talks with Olympiacos and Galatasaray, could yet leave, but Benitez is satisfied his squad is in good shape to sustain a promotion charge after acquiring Murphy and Lazaar.

While the £3m Moroccan left-back is an unknown quantity in these parts, Murphy is the sort of option in attack Benitez has been looking to add because of his Championship experience.

The 33-year-old has scored 67 goals in three years at Ipswich and asked Mick McCarthy if he could leave Portman Road after he became aware of Newcastle’s interest.

Benitez, believed to be paying around £3.5m for the Irishman, said: "Hopefully I will be happy when the window closes. Now I am a little bit happier, but if we sign what we want and we can do the business that we want to do, then I will be happier. We are doing business and maybe we will have more news soon.”

Newcastle moved up to fourth by defeating Brighton courtesy of Jamaal Lascelles’ header and Jonjo Shelvey’s fantastic free-kick, but there was also a reminder of what Yoan Gouffran could offer the squad.

He has entered the final year of his contract at Newcastle but has been a key player in the last three Championship victories, having been overlooked for the opening couple of defeats.

Benitez is delighted with the former Bordeaux man, who moved three and a half years ago, but has conceded he could yet be on his way before the deadline.

The Newcastle boss said: "Normally he has to stay now. I said before that he had some offers, but they were not good enough, so I gave him the chance to play because he has been a very good professional.

"So now after playing three games, with three wins and him playing well, then I don't see any change. The only change is if someone comes with massive money, then I will think about it.

"I believe he is happy. When a player can see that you trust him, and we can give him confidence, then normally they are happy with that. Especially if they are playing."

Gouffran almost scored against Brighton when he struck a thunderous first half strike from 30 yards that crashed off the crossbar and he provided balance to the team, with Matt Ritchie on the opposite flank.

Benitez said: "The only thing is in this case is that, if you have a player of this age, and someone comes and makes him a good offer with a three-year contract and big offer, you have to understand that for him it could be important to leave.

"But in this case the offer was not good enough. I said to him: 'Look, I am happy, keep going, keep working hard and you will have your chances.' And he has had his chances."

Gouffran’s situation could change once more if Benitez brings in the extra winger, although he has also warned all of his players that no one is guaranteed to stay in his team.

In the absence of injured striking duo Aleksandar Mitrovic and Dwight Gayle, Newcastle still claimed three points – and Murphy is set to add to the competition too.

Benitez added: "I think it's important for me to see the team playing well after I have changed players because then the squad is stronger.

"The message is: They have to compete. They have to realise that the only way to be strong until the end of the season is to have the opportunity to change things and keep the team fresh.

"So they have to compete and they have to be fresh. They have to realise they must keep pushing and put me in a position where every time I need to decide who to play. I am happy with that.”