Rafa rules out a return to Serie A

TOON IS “ONLY CLUB” HE IS TALKING TO ...AT THE MOMENT

RAFA Benitez has ruled out a return to Napoli - and has revealed Newcastle United are the “only club” he is talking to at the moment.

The Spaniard’s representatives have been locked in contract talks with managing director Lee Charnley over the past three weeks, and they are yet to reach a conclusion.

The United hierarchy want the Spaniard to extend his contract, which has a year left to run, and owner Mike Ashley released a statement on Sunday evening stating that he “hoped” Benitez would stay - and claiming that he “will continue to ensure that every penny generated by the club” is made available to the Magpies manager.

But Benitez wants to be reassured that the club match his ambition to progress first, before committing his future to United.

As well as negotiating a potential extension, other topics being discussed with the club are the transfer budget which will be made available this summer, and also whether Newcastle’s ambitions match those of Benitez’s.

The Spaniard - who admits he hopes talks continue on Monday, and once again stressed a desire for a resolution to be reached “as soon as possible” - is not interested in a relegation battle and a tight 10thplaced finish.

In recent weeks, Benitez has been heavily linked with a move to Leicester City, Everton, or former club Napoli, should he depart Tyneside this summer.

But the Spaniard has revealed to an Italian media outlet that his “priority” is to stay in England, close to his family, and that he does not want to return to the Stadio San Paolo. Interestingly, Benitez also stresses that Newcastle are the only club his representatives are talking to at the moment - and that the club have made him an offer to “stay here for a few more years”. Speaking to CalcioNapoli24 in a Q&A, Benitez said: “My future? I’ve heard so much talk, but I haven’t spoken to [Napoli chairman] Aurelio de Laurentiis: I have a contract with Newcastle, I’m talking to them about my renewal.

“They made me some offers to stay here for a few more years, plus I have to manage my family: if I decided to go to Newcastle and stay there, even in the Championship, it’s also because of my family.

“My priority is to stay in England. I’m only talking to Newcastle right now.”

Current Napoli manager Maurizio Sarri has been heavily linked with a move to both Arsenal and Chelsea this summer, having just missed out on the Serie A title to Juventus.

But Benitez believes Napoli will always be pipped to the Italian league crown - until the club start taking greater “risks” in the transfer market.

“Many of the Napoli players who have been together for five years have the advantage of understanding each other, without even looking at each other,” the Newcastle manager added.

“This gives them an advantage and, with the work of Sarri, the team did well, although they didn’t win any trophies, perhaps because Juventus are so strong.

“We won a trophy against them and it wasn’t easy, but they have the ability to improve themselves in the transfer market.”

My priority is to stay in England. I’m only talking to Newcastle right now Rafa Benitez