OPINION
Many Newcastle United fans will surely take Rafa Benitez instructing his scouts to find players as a very positive sign that he is about to stay at James Park.
The Sun’s print edition (page 59, Sunday June 2nd) reported that Benitez had told his staff to find him five potential players to sign as he was optimistic he would have cash to spend on signings.
This behind-the-scene action more than suggests that Benitez is sticking around at the Magpies for at least another year as why would he start wanting transfer targets drawn up otherwise.
The Sun’s report even adds that due to Benitez’s action, hopes are soaring that he is staying.
The Mirror reported on Saturday that Magpies owner Mike Ashley had put contract talks on hold with Benitez, despite his current one expiring at the end of the month, while discussions about selling the club to Sheikh Khaled take place.
However while the Mirror has everyone worrying that the end is neigh for Benitez, The Sun’s report clearly suggests he isn’t going anywhere.
Many Newcastle fans will be hoping for Benitez to stay as he has been an unprecedented success at the club despite working on a tight budget.
For example, despite the Magpies doing minimal business across the last two transfer windows, barring the signing of Miguel Almiron, Benitez still guided his side to a 13th-placed finish, comfortably away from the relegation zone.
Not many managers could have pulled that off with the current Magpies squad.
So with that in mind, given that many Newcastle fans will be looking for the positives when it comes to Benitez, they’ll probably take The Sun’s report as a very telling sign that their manager isn’t going anywhere.