Rafa Benitez reveals talks with Lee Charnley over transfer plans and his Newcastle future

Benitez has another year left on his St James's Park contract, and club owner Mike Ashley wants him to sign a new deal.

United's manager wants to see if the club's ambitions match his own.

Benitez is looking to assurances on transfer spending after being left frustrated by the club's efforts in the last three windows.

"We have had conversations and we will have conversations next week," said Benitez, speaking ahead of tomorrow's home game against West Bromwich Albion.

"My representatives are talking with Lee Charnley, and that's it."

Asked what the discussions were about, Benitez said: "About everything. About everything, but that is part of the conversation next week. I’m telling you now because obviously a lot of people want to know.

"I will not talk too much about that, because we will have another meeting and we’ll see how it’s going."

Meanwhile, Benitez also joked that there could be a place at United for departing Barcelona captain Andres Iniesta.

He said: "Has he said to which team he will go or not? Maybe we can prepare something for him right now."