West Ham United should consider a move for Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez at the end of the season.
With the relationship between the West Ham fans and board at a real low point, the Hammers hierarchy undoubtedly need to pull something out of the bag at the end of the season which sends a real statement that the club’s big plans are not as crazy as they currently sound.
David Moyes’ men need to maintain their Premier League status first before thoughts turn to the summer, and that is certainly no guarantee and their battle to beat the drop looks set to go right down to the wire. As soon as the campaign ends however, the pressure will be back on the board.
Moyes is currently on a contract until the end of the season, according to The Telegraph, and if he keeps the Irons in the top flight, keeping him on may be a tempting option. But perhaps it would be the wrong move with the Scotsman’s tenure not exactly capturing the imagination barring a few fantastic results.
Instead, they should perhaps make sure that they try and take advantage of the uncertainty at one of their Premier League rivals by triggering the release clause and offering the control that may tempt Rafa Benitez away from Newcastle.
The Telegraph reported in February that Benitez is one of the names that the West Ham board have their eye on, and the Chronicle is now suggesting that the Spaniard has a £6 million release clause in his contract that is set to expire at the end of next season at St James’ Park.
The Chronicle adds that talks over a new deal at Newcastle are likely to begin in the middle of May at the earliest, so perhaps the opportunity is there for West Ham to swoop in if Benitez has concerns over the Magpies’ long-term vision – the Chronicle suggested that he has been disappointed with the club’s last three windows.
Benitez staying with Newcastle this far, despite all of the apparent complications, hints that he would be extremely reluctant to move on at the end of the campaign. But if Mike Ashley does not give him some of the answers that he is looking for, then West Ham undoubtedly need to make a move and offer him the platform and control he has been waiting for at St James’.
After such a disappointing time for the club, West Ham fans will generally not want to hear about potential seven-figure deals and will want the board to show some real ambition in the market. But perhaps one more seven-figure deal should be considered by the West Ham hierarchy – as long as it involves spending £6 million on luring a heavyweight-calibre manager away from a rival.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
