The Newcastle United manager could leave at the end of his contract this summer.
Newcastle United are preparing a £40 million move for Hoffenheim’s Joelinton in the hope of persuading Rafa Benitez to stay at St James’ Park, according to The Sun.
Benitez is out of contract at Newcastle this summer, however the newspaper claims the Magpies boss will be given further backing should he commit for next season.
And Joelinton is one player whose signing could help to pacify Benitez, having scored or made 20 goals in 30 games for Hoffenheim this season.
The Brazilian was linked with Newcastle in the January transfer window, but Hoffenheim were reluctant to lose him with little time to find a replacement, according to The Sun.
The newspaper claims, however, that last season’s third-placed side are braced for summer bids.
Newcastle’s current transfer record stands at around half the fee they are reportedly ready to pay for Joelinton, after Miguel Almiron’s £0.7 million move to Tyneside earlier this year.
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