Report: Ashley wants Rafa Benitez to agree five-year deal at Newcastle

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Mike Ashley is reportedly hoping to have Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle United future resolved by the time the January window opens.

According to a report from the Northern Echo, Mike Ashley is keen to see Rafa Benitez’s future at Newcastle sorted by the time the January transfer window opens, with the Magpies owner hoping the Spaniard will agree a new five-year deal at St James’ Park.

Benitez’s situation continues to have a major question mark lingering over it with his current contract on Tyneside set to expire at the end of the campaign. Many fans appear to be resigned to the idea of this term being the manager’s last at the club.

But Ashley is hoping to convince Benitez to stick around for the long-term – despite still wanting to sell the club – with the Northern Echo reporting that he hopes to agree terms which would see the former Real Madrid boss pencilled in to stay until 2024.

Benitez has reportedly been reluctant to agree a new deal while he awaits assurances regarding the January transfer window and the ability to make significant improvements to the academy and training ground.

It is not clear what promises Ashley is planning to make, but his desire to get Benitez tied down – the report adds that he is prepared to get stuck into negotiations himself if required – does potentially hint that he is prepared to provide at least some assurances.

Sceptical Newcastle fans will only believe that there has been a significant change in stance if they see some serious action in the January window, but Benitez signing a new deal would unquestionably hint that there has been a very positive move in the right direction.