Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez to hold showdown talks with Mike Ashley before committing to new contract this summer
Benitez wants assurances that he will have cash to improve his squad and there will be enough to improve the training facilities
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RAFA BENITEZ will hold showdown talks with Newcastle owner Mike Ashley over his future, according to reports.
Ashley wants the gaffer to stay with the club but Benitez will only sign a new contract if his demands are met.
Newcastle cemented their place in the Premier League on Sunday with a 2-1 win over Arsenal.
And now Benitez wants promises that there will be cash to splash in the summer so he can strengthen his squad.
The 58-year-old is also asking that there is enough money to improve the training ground and overhaul the academy, reports the Telegraph.
Newcastle were one of the lowest net spenders in the Premier League this campaign with Ashley putting the club on the market.
It makes his achievement of Premier League survival even more impressive and Newcastle are concerned that the former Real Madrid man could be scouted by a bigger club.
His current contract expires in the summer of 2019 but Benitez is already thinking about planning for next season.
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Speaking last week, he said: "Today I was talking with some players about next season - when we will start, what we will do.
“Everybody needs to know more or less what is going on.
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“You cannot say everything because still you don’t know everything, but at least you can start working because players need to know their futures.
“It is important to start working little by little."