According to the Northern Echo, Leicester City are set to make a summer move for Rafa Benitez – with the Spaniard now entering the final few months of his contract at St James’ Park.
The piece also states that the Leicester job would appeal to Benitez, being a club who are at least attempting to force their way into the top 6 – with them having made EIGHT signings that would’ve smashed our current transfer record during the time Rafa has been on Tyneside.
The Echo aren’t the only ones reporting this either, with the Chronicle’s Lee Ryder confirming that Benitez is ‘admired’ by Leicester City – a club who could be set to sack Claude Puel if results don’t improve for the Foxes boss.
Here’a a snippet from Scott Wilson’s piece for the Northern Echo:
‘LEICESTER CITY are ready to offer Rafael Benitez an escape route from Newcastle United in the summer, with the Spaniard looking increasingly likely to move on in the wake of yet another bitterly disappointing transfer window.
‘He has refused to discuss a new contract at St James’ Park, and is understood to be at the top of Leicester’s wanted list if, as looks increasingly likely, they dispense with the services of Claude Puel before the start of next season.
‘Benitez has rebuffed approaches from a number of overseas clubs during his time in charge of Newcastle, but an offer from Leicester would make obvious appeal given the club’s position in the top half of the Premier League and the King Power Stadium board’s proven track record for substantial investment into the playing squad in the last few years.
‘Benitez wants to stay in England, having enjoyed his time in the North-East, but he also wants to lead a club he feels has a realistic chance of challenging for silverware in the next few seasons. Under Ashley, Newcastle show no sign of shifting from their current parsimonious approach.’
Unfortunately, I wouldn’t be surprised if this happened – and I wouldn’t blame Benitez if he went given the way our club are treating him at present.
The Chronicle have insisted that Rafa will give Newcastle “every single chance to retain his services” in the summer, but there’s only so long he’ll wait around while Mike Ashley continues to ignore his demands.