Newcastle United have made movement towards securing the future of highly-rated manager Rafael Benitez, who has led the Tyneside giants valiantly in their return to the Premier League this season.
A superb upturn in form since January has led the Magpies from 18th in the table to their current mid-table position, raising the importance of Benitez at the club – and the club are finally ready to secure the Spaniard’s future.
Benitez’s current deal has just 12 months remaining, while he has been linked with moves to Arsenal and Leicester City, but The Times says Newcastle have opened negotiations to retain the services of the experienced manager.
The former Liverpool and Chelsea boss is seeking financial assurances from the board ahead of the summer transfer window but is hoping for a speedy resolution to discussions, which he’s stated would be ‘good for everybody’.
Newcastle’s managing director Lee Charnley held talks with Benitez ahead of the 1-0 defeat to Everton last Monday and another round of negotiations are said to follow this week.
