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Newcastle United players are believed to be hopeful that Rafa Benitez will say yes to the contract extension on offer by the Magpies.

Both Benitez and the United hierarchy took time to digest the deal on the table for the Toon boss over the weekend, and talks remain ongoing.

There has been talk of interest from Serie A over the weekend with both Juventus and AS Roma looking for new managers, while links with Celtic haven’t gone away.

But Benitez’s main priority is to get a deal concluded with Newcastle.

The Chronicle understands that Benitez spoke optimistically with players last week.

Benitez told them he’d see them in July and promised to keep in touch with them over the summer.

And showing his quality as manager once again, Benitez also assured those who have been released at the end of their contracts that his coaching staff would help them find a new club this summer.

Another good sign coming from the United camp is that Benitez’s coaching staff are keen to stay on next season and have some fresh ideas already in mind to help United kick on.

United chiefs and Benitez will touch base again on Monday morning.