Benitez eyes long stay - with right backing
Rafa Benitez says he can see himself staying at Newcastle United for another decade – if he’s given the right backing.
Owner Mike Ashley wants Benitez – whose contract runs out next year – to sign a new deal at St James’s Park.
However, manager Benitez – who met Ashley for talks this summer – will wait before discussing his future. For the moment, he is focused on preseason training – he takes his players to Ireland today for a training camp – and the club’s efforts in the transfer market.
“I said that we have to see how things are going on and then we can sit down later on and discuss about that (his contract),” said Benitez, who yesterday attended the Foundation 1892 Cup.
“I would like to stay here five years, 10 years, if its possible, because I can see the potential. But we have to do things like I imagine has to be done in a football
club.” Benitez sat down with Ashley for talks earlier this summer. “I was talking with him in the summer, face to face,” he said. “It was fine, but still we are where we are. We were talking about the future, the possibilities.” Benitez says he wants to keep hold of skipper Jamaal Lascelles, amid rumours of a £25million bid from West Ham.
“For sure, we want Jamaal,” said Benitez. “He’s a key player for us. He was a key player last year and he can be a key player for Newcastle United in a long, long time in the future.”
Meanwhile, Newcastle strike target Alassane Plea of Nice is set to join Borussia Mönchengladbach, who are said to have tabled an offer of £22million for the player.