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Report: Newcastle keen to tie Benitez down to contract extension

Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez on the touch line during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Southampton at St. James Park on Marc...
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Newcastle United reportedly want Rafa Benitez to sign a new contract as the Spaniard is about to enter the final 12 months of his current deal.

Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez on the touch line during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Southampton at St. James Park on March 10, 2018 in Newcastle upon Tyne,...

Newcastle United are keen to sit down with manager Rafa Benitez and discuss an extension to his current contract with the club, reports the Chronicle.

Benitez will enter the final 12 months of his current deal at St James’ Park at the end of this season but the Magpies hierarchy want to keep the Spaniard on beyond that.

Owner of Sports Direct and Newcastle United, Mike Ashley arrives at the High Court in central London on July 3, 2017, to defend himself against a lawsuit filed by a former business...

The 57-year-old has given little indication of what the long-term future holds for him, as tension between him and owner Mike Ashley continues to be a sticking point.

Benitez wants assurances from the club that their ambitions match his own, having been let down in the last three transfer windows.

Rafael Benitez Manager

The signing of a striker and an attacking midfielder is a priority this summer for the former Chelsea and Liverpool boss, so perhaps if Ashley backs him on that front it could make contract negotiations slightly easier.

Benitez signed his current three-year deal after the Tynesiders were relegated from the Premier League in May 2016. He got them promoted from the Championship at the first time of asking as winners a year later and the Toon are currently 13th in the top flight with eight games remaining.