Benitez wants to ensure that his Newcastle squad are fully prepared for the start of the Championship season, as they aim to bounce straight back from relegation. Newcastle will pay the Spaniard around £5m-a-year even though their annual television income is set to drop to around £35m-a-season following their demotion to the second tier.
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However, he has outlined the need for new additions in order to freshen up the squad that finished 18th in the top-flight, with QPR defender Steven Caulker the latest player to be linked, and will demand cast-iron guarantees over his control of all transfer matters.
Retaining Benitez would be a massive statement of intent, and while there were no fresh developments this weekend, it is still anticipated that the former Chelsea and Liverpool boss will conclude his discussions with Charnley and Ashley later this week.
The club are hoping to hold a press conference with Benitez in the middle of the week after a final round of talks between him and managing director Charnley.
The Magpies plan to return a week earlier than they did when Steve McClaren was in charge last season.
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Benitez has had interest from clubs in Turkey and China, but still wants to give Newcastle a chance to deliver on what he has asked for before talking to any rival suitors.
The group are now trying to raise funds to set it up and hopefully create a side that could one day even play Newcastle United in the FA cup, you can dream, that’s what football is all about. To be fair, I don’t think about the future now.
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“We were not stable as a team, and we lost too many games”, said the attacking midfielder.
