Benitez still in stand-off with Magpies
Rafa Benitez is involved in a stand-off with Newcastle United’s hierarchy over a new contract and the Magpies’ transfer business.
Benitez’s representatives have been involved in protracted talks over a range of issues.
Owner Mike Ashley wants Benitez – who has a year left on his contract at St James’s Park – to sign a new deal, but the Spaniard will not commit his longer-term future before agreeing a funding plan.
Benitez wants a competitive transfer budget and the freedom to spend it as he sees fit.
He is understood to be “frustrated” at the slow progress in the talks, which started before the season ended.
Benitez was involved in a similar stand-off during January’s transfer window, before eventually signing three players – Kenedy, Martin Dubravka and Islam Slimani – on loan late in the window. Dubravkahassince signed a four-year deal after joining from Sparta Prague, and Benitez would like to re-sign Kenedy from Chelsea, either on loan or permanently. However, the impasse in talks between Benitez and Newcastle is threatening to delay the Tynesiders’ preparations for the 2018-19 Premier League campaign.
Newcastle have been linked with a £13million bid for Besiktas midfielder Oguzhan Ozyakup. However, the 25-year-old is not understood to be a summer target for Benitez.
Meanwhile, striker Abel Hernandez – who interested Newcastle last summer – has confirmed that he will leave Championship club Hull City in the summer.