Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez is wanted by mega-rich Chinese Super League club Guangzhou Evergrande, according to The Sun.
The newspaper report that the Spaniard has been contacted by intermediaries about the switch, which would see him earn around £10million per season.
The Sun claim that Benitez is currently discussing the possibility of such a move with family and friends, but would have to make the decision before the turn of the year.
It is said that Guangzhou are ready to pay the compensation to release him from his contract right now.
OPINION
This is a pretty substantial offer from Guangzhou, and it is no surprise that Benitez is having discussions about it with his family. £10million every year is an insane amount of money, even for a world-class football manager, and it is only natural that the Spaniard is thinking on it. That being said, the likelihood of him taking the offer is surely quite low. Benitez loves Newcastle and has never walked away from a contract in his career. The fact that he would have to take the offer before the New Year means that he would leave the Magpies in limbo at such a crucial juncture in the campaign. His love for the club and the hard work he has done to get them to this point means that it would be a massive surprise if Benitez decided to leave mid-season. That is not to say it definitely won’t happen, but merely that Benitez is certainly inclined to turn it down, unlike some other managers in the same situation.