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.

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.

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.

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.
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