OPINION
Rafa Benitez has reportedly been tabled “lucrative” offers from the Middle East and China, but judging by the latest report about his future, it seems as though the Spaniard will not be quitting Newcastle United to pursue such ventures.
According to the Chronicle, Benitez wants to keep himself in the spotlight by managing in a top European league next season.
It is understood that if Newcastle were relegated this term then he would have quit St James’ Park, which effectively rules out the possibility of him heading to the Far East because even the Chinese Super League is a less reputable league than the English Championship.
The Chronicle also adds that Newcastle want to speed up contract negotiations with Benitez in the coming weeks as the Spaniard’s current deal at St James’ Park it set to expire at the end of the season.
It could be a huge fortnight on Tyneside as by the end of the month, we may find out whether or not Benitez will be staying at Newcastle, or leave Mike Ashley and Lee Charnley to find a replacement.
Benitez will not be short of suitors if he does leave Newcastle, and it is also very likely that clubs from around Europe are also planning to approach the former Liverpool manager with his current deal getting ever closer to expiring.
Hopefully he will put pen to paper on a new deal, because judging by the Chronicle’s report, all the parties concerned, including Benitez, wants him to sign on the dotted line.
Benitez isn’t even said to be too concerned about the Magpies’ lack of spending in the last four transfer windows.
He doesn’t even seem to want a bigger salary.
Benitez just seems like he is happy on Tyneside and will sign a new deal.
After all the tough times he had endured under Ashley’s leadership at St James’ Park, it seems like Benitez might just be trying to make the Sports Direct tycoon sweat a bit – and who can blame him for that?
Newcastle fans will surely have goosebumps over what appears to be the most positive update yet on Benitez’s future at St James’ Park.
