Rafa Benitez happy to stay at Newcastle and wants to further improve squad

The former Liverpool manager is believed to be in talks with the club's ownership over a contract extension and has met with owner Mike Ashley in person to talk over the issue.

Newcastle managed to make it to a 10th placed finish in the Premier League last season with a squad that should not have achieved anywhere near that much given their lack of quality, and Benitez is keen to change that by bringing in a number of summer signings.

This has been a point on contention between himself and Ashley over the last two years, with the owner hoping to maintain Premier League status for the cheapest amount possible while the Spanish coach has pushed to improve his squad so that they can challenge for European football in the future.

While some believed that this lack of transfer activity would see Benitez leave the club in protest, he wants to remain on Tyneside for years to come.

"I'd like to stay here for five years or 10 years if it's possible because I can see the potential, the fans and the city. Everybody (needs to be) pushing in the right direction," the manager told 'Chronicle Live'.

The club have managed to bring in three players so far this summer, with goalkeeper Martin Dubravka and midfielder Ki Sung-Yeung joining on permanent deals while Chelsea winger Kenedy's loan will be announced iminently.

Despite some progress, the club still needs siginifcant re-enforcements in the attacking and defensive positions particularly, and Benitez has spoke of his frustration at the state of the current market.

"It is difficult because the prices have gone very high for everyone. Some people say: 'Oh the deadline is the problem'. It's not," Benitez explained.

"If you are ready and you do what you have to do there is plenty of time. It's just to be sure when you go for a player you make sure you sign him."