Newcastle are yet to begin talks with Rafa Bentitez over a new contract
The Spaniard signed a new deal with the Magpies last May that will run until the summer of 2019
NEWCASTLE and Rafa Beniitez are still yet to begin discussions over a new contract, according to reports.
The Chronicle reports that the club and manager are in no rush to start talks as both parties are concentrating on pushing the Magpies as high up the table as possible.
The Spaniard is currently tied down until the summer of 2019.
But his relationship with owner Mike Ashley and Newcastle’s lack of summer spending has seen his position become uncertain.
Ashley wants to sell the club and knows the guarantee of the prestigious former Liverpool and Real Madrid boss coming with it will keep it closer to the £230million asking price, report The Times.
Toon have exceeded expectations upon their Premier League return by taking nine points out of a possible 18 under the Spaniard.
Sports Direct tycoon Ashley has reportedly invited Benitez round for dinner recently in what is seen as a build up to contract talks.
Today, the former Valencia boss hosts a visiting the Reds side for the first time since his sacking and he refused to rule out a comeback in the future.
MOST READ NEWCASTLE NEWS
And asked if he has ever been close to a Merseyside return, he said: “It hasn’t come at the right time. Sometimes they have problems and you are unavailable, or sometimes you are available and they are doing well.
“So I didn’t have too many chances to go back — but it is football so you never know. I am getting older but for a manager I am still young so we’ll see what happens.”