Rafa Benitez reportedly concludes talks with Newcastle United

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Rafa Benitez and Newcastle United have reportedly concluded their face-to-face contract talks over the weekend.

Chronicle Live has revealed that Benitez has held face-to-face talks with both Managing Director Lee Charnley and owner Mike Ashley. Benitez has apparently put his vision to the pair, and the Spaniard is now looking carefully over a new contract extension.

Chronicle Live also revealed that both Benitez and Ashley have come to an agreement. There were apparently no major disagreement over the talks.

Benitez wants more money invested in the youth academy, according to Chronicle Live. He also wants more control over the transfer budget.

This feels like it will be resolved in a matter of days

The way it’s being reported, there doesn’t seem to be much to fear for Newcastle fans. In fact, it sounds as though it won’t be long until they can start celebrating their manager’s stay on Tyneside.

At the same time, however, it’s a major blow for Celtic. Many Hoops fans will have been hoping that the talks ending up breaking down. With so much to happen at Newcastle over the summer, Benitez and Ashley look to be on the same page.

Whilst it would be foolish to rule him out just yet, this move doesn’t feel like a goer. Benitez certainly doesn’t come across as a man who’s desperate to leave St James’ Park for Parkhead. And if he doesn’t have that commitment anyway, is he even worth pursuing anymore?

Not once did this move truly look like happening anyway. We all may have had hope as supporters, but it looks like we don’t have much chance here.

The talks appear to have gone too well. It’s clear that Ashley seems to agree on most of what Benitez put forward. Once the new contract is signed, Celtic are as well forgetting it.

There are, of course, alternatives to Benitez out there. The likes of Slaven Bilic and Claudio Ranieri have been linked if Celtic do indeed want to press forward with a big name. But if Benitez truly isn’t a contender anymore, it’ll be intriguing to see Celtic’s next step.