Rafa Benitez seriously considering £12m-a-year China offer after Newcastle announce exit despite Chelsea links

RAFA BENITEZ is seriously considering a £12million-a-year Chinese Super League offer.

Newcastle yesterday confirmed the popular Spaniard would leave the club when his contract expires on Sunday.

And despite being linked with a return to Chelsea, he could opt for the Far East as he looks to continue his career.

Incredibly, Benitez had no idea the press release was coming until he was told about it by a friend.

The former Blues chief was keen to extend his stay despite a long-running fight over his contract.

But the club decided to pull the plug early so they can focus on getting a new man in.

Toon owner Mike Ashley and managing director Lee Charnley had offered their boss a one-year extension on the same £6m-a-year salary plus bonuses after meeting him in London on May 17.

But communication had completely broken down since then, with Benitez claiming questions his representatives put to the club had not been answered.

He had concerns regarding recruitment – particularly the policy and wage structure – and also wanted improvements to the infrastructure.

But a compromise could not be met with the club, who gave up on keeping Benitez at the weekend after trying to tie him down for 18 months.

SunSport columinst Alan Shearer thinks his beloved Magpies are in danger of relegation after axing Benitez.

He wrote: "Aston Villa have just been promoted and they have come in straight away and smashed their transfer record on a £22million striker. That is what Rafa was up against.

"For Newcastle, he was probably worth ten to 15 points a season.

"With him in charge, there was no way they would have been relegated. Now, you have to fear the worst."

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