EVEN by their own sorry standards, Newcastle’s situation this summer beggars belief.
The Toon is in limbo with the futures of their manager, owner and several players all up in the air.
There are just TEN DAYS left to run on boss Rafa Benitez’s contract and only two weeks before players return for pre-season training.
Yet those at St James’ Park are in the dark. Here, SunSport analyses the current state of play — or state of flux — on Tyneside.
THE DUGOUT
IT is over a month since Benitez met owner Mike Ashley in London to discuss a new contract.
At that stage, the Spaniard seemed keen to stay and willing to compromise on some of his demands to get a deal done. It also appeared Ashley wanted to tie down his prized manager.
Yet with his June 30 contract end-date looming, Benitez is no closer to putting pen to paper.
He is unhappy with some of the details of the deal discussed — mainly around recruitment.
But Newcastle insist the contract on the table — understood to be a short-term extension — is their final offer, that a transfer budget of around £50million is non-negotiable and they are just waiting for an outright answer.
Both parties seem to be waiting for the other to blink first.
Newcastle cannot even start a search for a potential new manager because their current chief remains under contract.
Benitez will hope his bargaining power has been strengthened by a £12million-a-year offer from Chinese side Dalian Yifang.
He wants to be in work and if he ends up extending his Toon stay at the 11th-hour that will be one of the only reasons why.
Yet he could run down his deal and wait for a better offer — from Newcastle or elsewhere.
THE BOARDROOM
TAKEOVER talks have only muddied matters on Tyneside.
SunSport broke the news last month that heads of terms had been signed on a £350m deal for Ashley to sell to Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Benitez is concerned about where he would stand under new owners.
The Sheikh’s representatives have made no contact with him, despite releasing two statements about the proposed takeover, the latest insisting proof of funds have been provided.
They say they are just waiting for Premier League ratification, but despite such strong claims, Newcastle have stayed silent.
THE PITCH
NEWCASTLE’S first-team squad report back for pre-season training on July 4.
And they still have NO idea who will be taking their sessions before they go to China for the Asia Trophy, with a first game against Wolves on July 17.
Transfer business has been on hold this month because Rafa has the final say on ins and outs.
The club do not want to make signings for their chief if he is not going to be there.
Players looking for moves are frustrated. Jonjo Shelvey’s future remains unclear, despite being out of favour under Benitez and with West Ham interested.
The £25m-rated Sean Longstaff was set to be offered a new deal to ward off Manchester United’s interest, but no negotiations have been forthcoming.
As for new arrivals, Salomon Rondon, on loan at Newcastle from West Brom, is attracting interest at home and abroad.
THE STANDS
ABOUT the only thing the Toon Army do know for certain is season ticket prices are going up.
Newcastle announced a five per cent increase. But while fans have until July 4 to renew, many are threatening not to if Benitez goes.
Fansite The Mag wrote: “Fans asked to renew and pay more, when nobody knows who will own the club, who will be manager and no players have been signed. It is all a big joke.”
Only nobody on Tyneside is laughing.
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