Report: West Ham set to approach Newcastle’s Rafa Benitez

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West Ham United are reportedly plotting a move to try and tempt Rafa Benitez away from Newcastle United.

According to a report from the Daily Mirror, West Ham are now planning to make an approach for Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez after David Moyes was informed that his contract at the London Stadium was not going to be renewed.

The Hammers are facing a crucial summer having only managed to secure Premier League survival with a handful of games to go. Moyes inspired the side on a gradual climb up the table, but it was not enough for the Scotsman to keep his job.

The Daily Mirror reports that the Irons have wasted little time drawing up their shortlist of potential replacements, with Benitez being joined by Marco Silva, Manuel Pellegrini and Paulo Fonseca.

But the Mirror adds that Benitez is the name at the top of the shortlist and an approach is now imminent. It is not clear how the Spaniard would feel about interest from the Hammers, but the Mirror adds that the Irons hierarchy are ready to hand their new manager a sizeable warchest and hope to make an appointment by the end of next week.

Benitez has worked wonders during his time at St James’ Park. It has been generally accepted that he has had to work in some difficult situations during the transfer windows, and yet, he followed last season’s Championship title win by leading the Magpies to a top-half finish during their first year back in the top flight.

It may be a difficult decision for Benitez. The Mirror suggests that he has a good relationship with the Hammers hierarchy after nearly taking the job in 2015, but the fact that he stayed with Newcastle when they went down in 2016 suggests that leaving the club would possibly be a last resort.