If Benitez signs new deal he will have to accept some things just won’t change

NEWCASTLE United owner Mike Ashley is understood to be keen for Rafa Benitez to stay on as manager at St James’ Park beyond this season - but the Spaniard may have to accept some things won’t change.

Both Ashley and managing director Lee Charnley have made a written offer to Benitez to entice him to extend his current deal.

Although no formal talks have taken place with Benitez, his agent and Charnley, the club have expressed their desire to keep him as boss in general conversations since the window closed.

Benitez is happy to stay on Tyneside as it allows him to be near his family in the north west but he is desperate to see Newcastle show more ambition and will only sign if the deal is right in his eyes.

Benitez is aware that there is no bottomless pit of money to spend and his requests for new players, a new training ground and a new Academy will have to be staggered out over a five-year plan.

That is the situation he is currently weighing up.

Benitez had made the case to Ashley that pumping funds into the academy could save him a lot of money in the next few years, while he feels that parts of the first team training base need updating.

However, it is unlikely that plans for both the youth system and a new training ground will be pushed through for this summer.

Any funding for training ground improvements must also come out of the club’s transfer pot which would affect Benitez’s plans for recruitment in the next window.

As reported in the Sunday Sun last week, Benitez wants to see more vision displayed by Toon chiefs. But Ashley feels the club must tread carefully until – in his eyes – they are self-sufficient.

Ashley or Charnley are yet to address fan concerns over why such a limited spending pot appears to be available at the club.

However, we understand that the club’s top brass do see the signing of Miguel Almiron as a commitment to Benitez going forward.

Benitez feels that things could and should have moved in slicker fashion with Almiron and if he is to sign a new deal he will want players through the door quicker in the summer.

As it stands, United have no Plan B if Benitez decides to turn down the offer of a contract extension.

Once United are safe, those talks should intensify and one way or another, planning for pre-season and summer window shopping must be thrashed out.

If he does stay, Benitez will also want to stay close to home in pre-season with short hops to Europe for some friendly games and another stay at Carton House is possible.