Newcastle chiefs are reportedly keen to finalise a deal that will see Rafa Benitez remain at the helm next season, as Scottish champions Celtic supposedly eye a move for our Spanish manager, as per the Chronicle.
The local press are reporting that club executives now wish to move quickly to finalise contract negotiations with the boss, having opted against sitting down with the 59-year-old on Monday.
The decision not to hold a meeting at the start of the week was considered a chance for everyone involved to collect their thoughts on the back of thrashing Fulham 4-0 in South West London.
As the transfer window officially opens at midnight tonight (Wednesday, May 15), United chiefs understand there is no time to waste, as they need to focus their efforts on recruiting players who will help take us further up the table.
Celtic’s interest in Benitez succeeding interim boss Neil Lennon north of the border may also have played a part in the apparent urgency to tie the boss down to a new deal, but Sky Sports’ Keith Downie has rubbished the Hoops’ position.
A number of Celtic-supporting friends asking about Rafa Benítez ‘link’ to their manager vacancy. Rafa meeting Newcastle bosses this week hoping to agree a new contract, plus his current wages make Celtic a non-starter.
— Keith Downie (@SkySports_Keith) May 14, 2019
The Sky Sports reporter has shared that Benitez was a ‘non-starter’ for Celtic, as the Spaniard’s wage demands would be too high for the club to meet, and reiterated the hope on Tyneside to agree a new contract at St James’ Park.