Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez is being touted to clubs in Europe and China as his Magpies contract continues to run down, according to The Sun.
The newspaper claims that the Spaniard’s exit could be on the cards with his Newcastle future hanging in the balance. He can leave the club for free as he no longer has a £6million compensation clause in his contract.
Benitez is thought to be unwilling to sign a new deal on Tyneside due to the lack of investment in the transfer market and is frustrated with life under owner Mike Ashley.
As of yet the club have yet to make a signing in the January transfer window, despite Benitez making it clear that the squad needs strengthening this month.
OPINION
Can anyone blame Benitez for wanting out? He is a top class manager who has performed miracles at St James’ Park, but yet Ashley continues to ignore his requests and fails to back him in the transfer market. Benitez sees the potential of the club and it’s clear that he has taken the city to his heart, but his affection has not been reciprocated by the club. So for him and his career it would probably be a good idea for him to leave. There’s no doubt that he could walk into a decent sized club in Europe or a financially lucrative post in China. He is worthy of a top job in Serie A, La Liga or the Premier League – certainly you could picture him managing a Roma, Sevilla or returning to Valencia. So with that said, why would he continue to stick around the toxic environment on Tyneside? Owners make or break football clubs and it appears that Ashley has lost Newcastle their finest manager since Sir Bobby Robson.
