Newcastle United are reportedly considering agreeing a short-term fix with Rafa Benitez amid uncertainty over his future.
According to a report from the Sunday People (21/4; page 54), Newcastle could look to agree a new one-year deal with Rafa Benitez to bring a temporary end to the uncertainty surrounding his future at St James’ Park.
Benitez is out of contract with the Magpies at the end of the season, but the Sunday People reports that he remains in talks over a new deal with the club.
But despite Newcastle wanting to get Benitez to agree to a longer deal, the Sunday People (21/4; page 54) adds that he may end up penning an extension that would keep him on Tyneside until 2020.
The report suggests that Newcastle are wary of handing the former Liverpool boss such a short deal in case his signings are discarded by a potential successor. But Benitez is thought to be open to the prospect of an agreement as he looks to the club hierarchy to back up their pledge to make £100 million available over the next two seasons.
Benitez has arguably already shown why he could be the best signing that Newcastle make this summer. The Magpies’ superb 3-1 win against Southampton on Saturday took the club to the brink of securing another season in the Premier League, and they actually have a slim chance of replicating last year’s top-half finish.
It would be a fantastic statement of ambition from the club if they handed Benitez a long-term deal. Newcastle appear to have the kind of potential that many top flight rivals would desperately love, and the Spaniard staying would arguably be the biggest hint that the club are ready to try and realise that potential in the coming years.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
