Rafa Benitez has given an indication he is ready to discuss fresh terms at Newcastle United but has insisted the latest transfer developments will not influence his decisions.
The former Liverpool manager had raised his concerns over Newcastle’s lack of activity in the transfer window. Mike Ashley had refused to inject more funds into the club which he has been trying to get rid of for the past few months.
But the owner finally broke the shackles and gave the green light as the club completed the record £20.7m Miguel Almiron from Atalanta United. The January transfer window also saw the arrival of Antonio Barreca on a season-long loan.
Benitez’s contract is up to expire at the end of the season but the manager insists there is plenty of time for contract talks. “I didn’t say if we don’t sign players, I will leave.
“I will not say now that because we have signed two players, I will sign.
“We have plenty of time to talk. The most important thing is to concentrate on the next games.
“The key is balance. Balance both before the transfer window and after. I am quite realistic and pragmatic – my approach during the transfer window was that I didn’t want to create headlines all the time because we could lose focus. And I was right because we beat Cardiff City and Manchester City.
“People were not talking about this player or that, and we were focused. We still have to stay in the Premier League, so I don’t want every press conference to be talking about that (his future). We will have a time to sit down and talk about the future, but it is not now because we have to play against Tottenham.”
