Rafa Benitez is unimpressed by the £100million transfer-kitty Newcastle hope will convince him to sign a new contract.
With manager Benitez now just three games from his current deal expiring, Magpies top brass have tabled the proposal that increases the amount of money he has to spend.
But, as that figure covers the next two seasons, it still means an average of just £25m per transfer window for a man whose aim is to get the Tyneside club fighting for European qualification rather than against relegation.
Now it seems that not even the promise of substantial funds to strengthen the squad this summer will convince former Liverpool and Chelsea boss Benitez that sportswear tycoon owner Mike Ashley shares his ambitions.
After masterminding the 3-1 home win over Southampton on Saturday which ensures top-flight football again next term, Benitez questioned whether the hierarchy are willing to overhaul the club's wage structure sufficiently to attract the standard of players he believes are required to take Newcastle to the next level.
The Magpies, who now sit 13th with three games to go, have one of the lowest wage bills in the Premier League.
Benitez said: “When you talk about quality, how much does it cost? And how much will you pay in wages for these quality players? £120,000 a week? £150,000? Or will you pay £50,000?
Newcastle United hatch new plan to get Rafa Benitez to stay on as manager
“You have to be realistic but we have to find this balance. We have to compete with the teams that are between seventh and tenth, not think 'Can we finish seventh or can we finish 17th?”
With the clock ticking, Benitez is seeking further talks with the hierarchy this week having made it clear that managing director Lee Charnley’s comments last week did not alter his stance.
He added: “I don’t care about what we say, the main thing is what we do . Everything is about money. I have not had any answers. If I have the answers, then I can decide.”
