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Rafa Benitez turns down 2 clubs offering 10m euros per year: Wants Newcastle stay if Mike Ashley backs him – Guillem Balague

5 years ago
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Rafa Benitez was approached by two clubs ahead of the January transfer window, according to journalist and friend, Guillem Balague.

Balague says that his information is that Rafa was offered a new five year contract before Christmas, which still remains unsigned.

The Spanish journalist saying that two clubs tried to take advantage of the fact Rafa Benitez still isn’t convinced that he should stay at Newcastle, by coming in with offers of two year contracts for the NUFC boss.

Guillem Balague states that both offers were for 10m euros (£8.7m) net per season, so that is what he would come away with, after tax. Which would work out at least double his reported £6m per season at Newcastle.

Balague saying one club was based in China and the other in Saudi Arabia.

No surprise that Rafa knocked both of them back as he has made clear how much he values being close to his family who still live in the north west of England.

However, the job he is doing at Newcastle when being so undermined by Mike Ashley, is sure to attract plenty of offers from closer to home if a contact extension isn’t agreed at Newcastle. Especially, when pulling off results such as the one against Man City.

Balague believes Rafa Benitez is a ‘special manager’ and one who is doing ‘miracles’ at Newcastle United.

He says that Rafa wants to continue at Newcastle and that the eventual signing of Miguel Almiron is a great start…BUT Rafa will need to be convinced Mike Ashley is prepared to now properly support the manager, with other quality/credible signings to follow.

Or of course, Ashley to sell the club and allow a new credible owner to come in…

Guillem Balague via Twitter:

“I have heard that Rafa Benitez has been approached by a club in China and one in Saudi Arabia.

“Both of them willing to pay 10m euros (approx £8.7m) net (after tax) for two years (contract), this is a year, for two years.

“This was about two months ago (ahead of the January transfer window) and he said no.

“He had on the table a renewal of his contract for five years at Newcastle, which he hasn’t signed yet.

“He should be, with Almiron arriving, a little bit happier.

“It has taken a while for this to happen but he would like this to continue, not to be just a one-off, but that Newcastle invests in the squad.

“He is doing miracles isn’t he, with Newcastle.

“So well done to Rafa who I have always known.

“He is a very special manager, his success has to do with how he looks after the details and the intensity of everything he does.”

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