Newcastle United have told manager Rafael Benitez that they are ready and waiting for him to sign a new deal when he is prepared to as fears mount over other clubs snapping him up this summer, according to the Chronicle.
The newspaper claim on their website that the Magpies have made sure the Spanish boss, who is out of contract this summer, knows the ball is in his court with a long-term deal on the table waiting to be signed, with worries over a host of new individuals being linked with the manager’s seat if it becomes vacant.
It is stated there is no agreement on transfer spending for the summer but that the club have made it clear more big money deals are a possibility, with Benitez reportedly keen to remain in England.
Opinion
Nearly everything points to Benitez staying at Newcastle past the summer but until the deal is signed on the dotted line the fans will still be nervous about his future. The only real issue which might arise is that transfer budget, with Benitez having been living off scraps for the last two years at St James’ Park. Miguel Almiron’s arrival showed that the Magpies can spend when they want to but the arrival of Antonio Barreca, a man who has barely featured under the Spanish boss, also demonstrates that the man in the dugout is still not getting what he truly wants. If Benitez does go then the atmosphere around St James’ Park will be one of the most poisonous that the fans have ever created. Things can change in football very quickly and if Benitez does commit then the Toon Army will be over the moon, but for now they are stuck in limbo over a man who has brought the club together more than anyone else in recent history.