North-East reporter provides much needed update on Rafa Benitez following West Ham rumours
The Telegraph's Luke Edwards has confirmed that Rafa Benitez is still keen to come to an agreement with Newcastle United and would prefer to stay on Tyneside - however a move to West Ham is a move he'll refuse to rule out if his demands aren't met by Mike Ashley.
The North-East reporter also states that Newcastle, as of yet, 'have not had any contact with West Ham asking for permission to speak', however a £6m release clause does exist that would allow him to discuss a move elsewhere.
He's clearly keen to stay and it's said that both sides are still working on reaching an agreement, but it sounds like he's becoming increasingly frustrated too - suggesting a breakthrough may need to be made soon.
https://twitter.com/TeleFootball/status/997144720307642368
One worry from this piece is the line that discusses how he's become 'increasingly exasperated' by goings on at NUFC, suggesting he will only be pushed closer and closer to giving up on the club if 'things do not become clearer in terms of his budget in the next few days'.
Reading the article itself above is advisable, but here's a snippet from Luke Edwards' piece in the Telegraph:
"Benitez remains keen to reach an agreement with Newcastle owner Mike Ashley about the size of his summer transfer budget.
"As things stand, Newcastle have not had any contact with West Ham asking for permission to speak to Benitez, who has a year left on his contract. Any club who wants to employ Benitez, will have to pay £6m in compensation to the Magpies.
"However, the former Liverpool and Chelsea manager is growing increasingly exasperated. If things do not become clearer in terms of his budget in the next few days, Benitez will be pushed closer to the exit door."
So, it's positive to hear that Rafa's priority is still to reach an agreement with Newcastle and remain on Tyneside, but it's equally infuriating to read that they're yet to give him what he wants.
I'm hopeful he'll stay as you'd think Ashley and co. would budge if it looks more and more like he'll consider West Ham's approach, but when Ashley is involved you just never know.
