There’s some optimism around Rafael Benitez remaining at Newcastle United beyond the end of the season.
On a tight budget he has the club 14th in the Premier League, and the hope will be that improvement can be made next season.
That’s very likely going to require investment, and the Spanish manager will want assurances, having made it clear he’s felt let down in the past when it comes to Newcastle’s spending… or lack of it.
Until a contract is signed, there’s still doubt, so it may make some sense for Newcastle to have a back-up option.
The Lyon manager has a very uncertain future, with club president Jean-Michel Aulas only too keen to repeatedly tell the world there could be a new man coming in.
Not wanting to leave himself completely at the mercy of Aulas, Genesio recently sought the help of super-agent Pini Zahavi. The idea is that Zahavi finds other potential jobs.
RMC say both Newcastle United and West Ham have moved closer to the agent in recent weeks, and have ‘concretely positioned themselves’ for the Lyon manager.
Neither English club have an immediate need, and it looks like more a case of looking for back-up options for the summer.
