Newcastle United could face a transfer exodus should they allow Rafael Benitez to leave the club, according to Sky Sports pundit Danny Mills.
The ex-England international questioned the Magpies and claimed that the players will want stability at the club which could lead to the departure of many senior squad members.
Mills said to Football Insider: “I think players will want stability, a lot of those players will have signed for Rafael Benitez, not just Newcastle. They’ll be thinking ‘Okay, where’s Rafa going?’ Am I going to play? Rafa likes me, brilliant, then I’ve got a great chance of playing.”
“Suddenly the manager goes, that changes everything. It’s an unusual situation but a lot of those players, I’d say that Rafa was integral as to whether they stay or go. That needs to be nailed down very, very quickly. If it hasn’t been done internally, it needs to be sorted.”
The former Liverpool boss’ contract runs out at the end of June, with the Chronicle reporting that Newcastle have made no progress in regards to a new deal. The regional newspaper report that Benitez is still waiting for assurances regarding the club’s budget and transfer policy.
OPINION
Drama is never too far away from St James’ Park and Newcastle. There isn’t only ever just one problem at the Magpies, with the future of Rafael Benitez being mixed with the ongoing takeover talks. The Bin Zayed Group are closing in on the £350million takeover of the club, with the future of Benitez the first piece of business that needs sorting out. Should they allow the Spaniard to leave the club, there will be mayhem to answer for at the club. with the North East faithful surely ready to launch complaints and attacks at whoever sanctions Benitez to leave. Danny Mills is definitely right, should Benitez leave, players could definitely follow him. Over his three years at the club, he has transformed Newcastle from relegation to a mid-table Premier League side – all of this is conjoined by the relationships that Benitez has formed with his players. The Champions League winner is a huge drawing point for any potential new signing, and this must be the first port of call in the next week or so.
