According to Sky Sports, Rafa Benitez is now seriously considering a £12m-per-year offer from Chinese Super League side Dalian Yifang.
I had my doubts about this one, and still struggle to believe he’d leave his family, a high standard of football and competitive league in England for China, but Sky say he is taking their offer seriously.
Sky claim that there has been ‘no sign of a breakthrough’ following contract talks with NUFC chiefs, despite the fact he has just 11 days left until his current deal expires on June 30th.
The piece also states that Rafa is still waiting to be given permission to sign players over the age of 26, with Mike Ashley clearly unwilling to compromise and move away from his current transfer policy.
Here’s a snippet from Sky Sports’ latest piece on the Spaniard’s future:
‘Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez is considering a £12m-a-year offer to manager Chinese Super League side Dalian Yifang, Sky Sports News understands.
‘Dalian Yifang are willing to make Benitez the best paid coach in the Chinese Super League with an annual salary of £12m.
‘The Spaniard’s current £5m-a-year deal at St James’ Park ends on June 30 with no sign of a breakthrough in his protracted negotiations over a new contract with club owner Mike Ashley.
‘Benitez, who wants to see Newcastle competing for European qualification and silverware, turned down a contract offer last summer.
‘Sky Sports News also understands the former Liverpool, Chelsea and Valencia boss wants to be given the green light to sign players over the age of 26, which has been against club policy in previous years.‘
One thought that entered my head – Is Rafa now trying to show Mike Ashley that he will accept this offer from China happily walk away from the club in a bid to make him buckle and offer improved terms?
That said, I’m not actually sure Ashley cares that much. After all, I think he would’ve made more of an attempt to keep Benitez by now if he really was serious about keeping the 59-year-old on Tyneside.
Clubs not being sold never was just another Ashley con for season ticket money and sky cash for his back pocket raffa hasn’t fallen for it so thank you raffa and good luck at your next club
Larry toon hants(Quote)
Yeah, Olly.
Why would Rafa even consider going to China?
Yes, from the extra money he would earn there he could buy 4 new Aston Martin DB11s every month, but money is nothing. After all the fact he came to Toon to be the 5th best paid Manager in the world was just a coincidence.
Brrrian(Quote)
Looks like another column to bring a negative story to the front for No apparent reason.
The journalist who concocted the click bait has done what all the others have done and not actually used any quotes from anyone at the club lol.
Pi55 poor
Cocobear(Quote)
If raffa goes and fat man still there I hope first game v. Arsenal on tv shows an empty stadium but no doubt the gluttons for punishment will still go unite and get rid on world wide tv it’s a no brainier mass protests outside ground for tv cameras appeal to all football fans to boycott all **** direct shops no matter who they follow unite so nobody has to suffer ****** like this again for the sake of football up and down the country
Larry toon hants(Quote)