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Rafa Benitez's future at Newcastle may hang on whether or not they sign MLS star Miguel Almiron.

Boss Benitez is on a contract that expires this summer and he has refused to talk about a new deal until after this winter transfer window ends next Thursday night.

Should he miss out on his top January targets, he won't even sit down with MD Lee Charnley to discuss staying on beyond the end of the season.

Benitez believes Almiron, a Paraguay international who plays for Major League Soccer champions Atlanta United, can keep his 17th-placed side in the Premier League and the Magpies' top brass have known for two months he wants the 24-year-old to fill the problem No10 role in his team.

(Image: USA TODAY Sports)

He has also made it clear a left-back is a priority, because of Paul Dummett's hamstring problems.

Just as in the past two windows though, Benitez has yet to get what he wants — increasing the chances of him leaving the club this summer.

Newcastle’s £16m valuation of Almiron falls well short of Atlanta’s asking price. They are also stalling on the player’s wage demands and his agent’s fee.

Benitez told owner Mike Ashley during the summer that if the club failed to invest then, they risked having to pay inflated prices now.

And he takes no satisfaction from being proved right.

(Image: Action Images via Reuters)

With talks about a takeover stalling, Ashley is keen to meet his manager.

But as far as Benitez is concerned, he compiled his list of targets late last year and believes it is now up to the club to get some deals over the line.

The Spaniard refuses to discuss transfers in public but continues to hold regular meetings with Charnley and head of recruitment Steve Nickson.

Lyon forward Martin Terrier is also on his shopping list, though the French club aren't interested in loaning the Under-21 international to Newcastle.

Meanwhile, midfielder Ki Sung-yeung has returned to Tyneside and is being assessed by the club’s medical team after pulling out of South Korea’s Asian Cup squad with a hamstring injury.