Get the latest NUFC transfer and takeover news straight to your inbox for FREE by signing up to our newsletter Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Rafa Benitez is believed to have respectfully told both Marseille and AS Roma his main priority is getting a deal with Newcastle United signed, sealed and delivered soon.

Benitez's name has been bandied around the French and Italian media in recent days, but the talks with United remain ongoing.

As it stands, both parties are mulling through the finer detail of the contract that is on the table - and it could even go into another week of discussions between United and Benitez's lawyer and representative.

By the same token, Benitez is waiting by his phone to hear if his proposal for a new project has been accepted by Mike Ashley.

Benitez is now back at home in the Wirral but he has told Ashley his views and how he sees United becoming a better club going forward.

Unsurprisingly, with Benitez's future still unclear to the rest of the football world, other clubs are understandably interested in his services.

Benitez has made his feelings clear on ambition levels at Newcastle recently, he said earlier this month: "We didn’t realise that to finish tenth last year was a miracle.

"This year we were thinking maybe we can finish seventh, but it was impossible.

"To be consistent you have to have everything in place.

"When you have Fulham and Wolves promoted and they are spending £100m it is totally different.

"To be where we are is a great achievement."