Benitez will leave Newcastle if club botch transfer deal for top target

Rafa Benitez is running out of patience with Newcastle owner Mike Ashley and will leave if they do not sign Miguel Almiron this month, claims The Daily Mirror.

Benitez’s current Newcastle deal is due to expire at the end of the season and he currently has no interest in discussing an extension.

The Spaniard feels Ashley has not come through on promises made about recruitment in the last few transfer windows and his future at the club may hinge on whether they sign Almiron or not.

Newcastle have been locked in talks to sign the Atlanta United star all month but are struggling to get a deal over the line.

English clubs have until next Thursday to sign players before the transfer window closes and Benitez is concerned about the lack of movement in the market.

It was reported earlier in the month that Almiron was in danger of pricing himself out of a move to Newcastle due to his wage demands, which still appear to be holding up the transfer.

Newcastle are one place above the bottom three and failure to sign new players this month will almost certainly see Benitez walk away in the summer.

Almiron helped Atlanta win MLS last season with 13 goals and 11 assists in 37 league appearances.

He finished last season with 13 goals and 11 assists in 37 MLS appearances for Atlanta, firing them to MLS glory. He was one of only two players in MLS last term to win the WhoScored Man of the Match award 10 times.