Rafa Benitez is set for crunch talks about his future with Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley.
The Magpies boss is set to demand a whopping £100 million transfer chest to relaunch the club in the Premier League next season.
But, Benitez is more interested in getting control over the club’s transfer policy – as he wants control over who gets signed, so he is accountable for the teams performance.
The former Liverpool, Chelsea and Real Madrid boss said that there was still “work to do”, and his future will only be decided after holding talks with the club owner.
Senior officials from the club did assure the Spaniard that the club will back him in the transfer market, to make United relevant in the Premier League next season.
Benitez has already prepared a business plan for the players he wants to sign including – fees and contract.
He is happy to give the youth a chance, but wants to bring in some big names to help elevate the standard and level of football at the club.
Newcastle had earlier backed ex-boss Steve McClaren with £60m before they were relegated.
Meanwhile, Rafa is happy to make some funds available by selling certain players he feels are not suitable for the top-flight.
He is eyeing reinforcements in all the key areas barring the goalkeeper – with a number 10 position being the priority.
Meanwhile, Graham Carr – the chief scout at the St. James Park could be set for the axe if Benitez gets his way.
United stopper Rob Elliot praised the Spaniard and claimed that he is vital for the club.
He said of Benitez: “He deserves every plaudit.”
“It’s been tough for him. He’s come from Real Madrid [where he was fired in January 2016] to manage Newcastle in the Championship [after failing to save them from the drop last season], expected to win the league, expected to go up without losing a game – and it doesn’t work like that.”
“He’s been brilliant, he’s kept himself calm and the players calm.”
“Being around the place, there is a much more positive atmosphere. When we have lost, we have bounced back straight away. But the biggest thing is the connection between the fans and the players and the manager – it is back again.”
“Hopefully, we can just continue that because, when we are all together and the club is moving in the right direction, the whole city can be really special on nights like Monday.”
Elliot added: “Everyone said it would be an easy thing to do at the start of the season. But for a group of young players – just put together, in a league that not that many of them know – to do what they have done is a brilliant achievement.”