Rafa Benitez is still planning for a summer of transfer activity, even though he his yet to agree terms on a new deal with Newcastle United, according to Chronicle journalist Mark Douglas.
The Spaniard’s current contract runs out on June 30th, but it is understood that he is still preparing for life at St. James’ Park beyond that date.
During a Q&A for the Chronicle (19:07), he was asked: “Is Rafa Benitez talking about potential targets – even if his contract isn’t sorted?”
Douglas responded: “That’s my understanding.
“Benitez is nothing if not professional so you can be sure he’s doing his level best for Newcastle right up until June 30, when his contract runs out. He’s held talks already and as we reported last week, he’s even spoken to one striker target.
“It’s probably a good sign that he’s doing that – and I do think, on the balance of probabilities, that he will probably end up staying at Newcastle – but maybe reserving the right to leave during the season if United don’t keep certain promises.”
OPINION
This will be music to the ears of Newcastle fans. At the moment, the fear must be that the prospective takeover from the Bin Zayed Group and Benitez’s upcoming contract expiry are on some kind of collusion course, with the looming deadline liable to pass without any kind of meaningful solution to the manager’s future. This would suggest, however, that Benitez does see himself staying at Newcastle next season, or at least show that he wants to. This summer could be a brilliant one for Newcastle. Equally, it could prove to be an unmitigated disaster. Clearly, fans are hoping for the former, and the best and most obvious way to get the wheels in motion on a positive closed season is to tie Benitez down and offer him some kind of backing in the transfer window. Whether that happens is, of course, a different kettle of fish. Only time will tell.