Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez is set to meet with managing director Lee Charnley and two key members of the recruitment team over the next ten days to discuss the future plans of the club, according to the Chronicle.
The newspaper claim on their website that the Magpies chiefs, which include head of recruitment Steve Nickson, will meet before the end of the month in order to ensure that the groundwork is set for scouting missions over the next three months ahead of the January window.
It is also stated that talks will take place over the state of the academy, with Benitez said to be keen to make some changes to the way the youth system works on Tyneside.
Opinion
These talks could well prove to be crucial not only to the club’s future in the transfer market, nor their ability to grow and develop young talent in their academy, but to keeping Rafa Benitez on board at St James’ Park beyond the end of his current contract. The Spanish boss only has until the end of the current season left on the deal which he penned three years ago and he does not seem any closer to committing his long term future to the Magpies, as much as the Toon Army would love him to. The issues with owner Mike Ashley are deep rooted and he needs to know everyone is reading from the same page before he is willing to sign on the dotted line, and that is where these crunch discussions could come into play. If he gets what he wants, then he will be more inclined to stay. However, if Charnley limits the changes which can be made, it is only going to push him closer to the exit door next summer.