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Rafa Benitez and Newcastle United managing director Lee Charnley are still trying to find the sweet spot that will result in the former Liverpool manager agreeing a new contract extension.

With just two games left of the season, Benitez stated on Saturday night that it does not "depend" on him whether he stays on at St James' Park beyond June 30.

Reports on Sunday morning that talks had "stalled" were accurate enough but there has been plenty of toing and froing between Charnley and Benitez in the last few days.

What will it take for Benitez to sign?

Quite simply for Newcastle to show the ambition to transfer the club from relegation battlers into a top-eight outfit.

Charnley feels that is possible - but only over a structured plan that could take between three and five years.

Mike Ashley has taken a back-seat in all of the talks so far but he is unlikely to agree to a bigger transfer budget and his main briefing to Charnley has been to live within the club's means.

In his eyes, Benitez has been made an offer to stay in the Premier League and help the club grow.

Benitez has stated he is not asking for "£200million" to spend but it's how far he can make £50million stretch this summer.

Will it be enough to bring in the six or seven players Benitez needs?

That's debatable, but perhaps that can be done with more wheeling and dealing and some high-profile exits for certain players.

The wage budget was thrown into the argument by Benitez after the 3-1 win over Southampton.

United will claim that clubs like Watford, Burnley and Crystal Palace have all spent similar amounts or less and still aren't streets ahead of the Magpies - although at least the Hornets are in an FA Cup final this year.

Whatever the debate is on wages, it is United's job now to persuade Benitez they can be ambitious.

Benitez does not want the talks to still be going on until June and wants them to resolved sooner rather than later, but he also won't sign a deal that leaves him open to failure.

As United prepare for a tough game against Liverpool, supporters will make it clear they want Benitez to stay with a rousing reception in store on Saturday night.

Charnley stated two weeks ago he would not be drawn into the public argument on Benitez while Ashley has not spoken since December on the record.

That leaves things open for another interesting Press briefing on Friday at the training ground when Benitez will be asked directly on where things stand.

Preparations for pre-season continue to unfold in the background at Benton with Benitez sanctioning certain items in the last few days, so read into that what you will.

With contracts to be thrashed out with some players and decisions to be made on transfer targets - as other clubs get into position for next season - for the good of the football club this situation can't drag on much longer.

As Benitez said himself on Saturday night: "Every day counts because in the end you want to do things as soon as possible to be sure that you can start working, but we will see."

Whether Benitez stays or not is a big question that deserves a big answer.

But the silence coming from St James' Park is deafening at the moment.