French powerhouses Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille are poised to offer Rafa Benitez an escape from his Toon hell.
Discussions over a new deal for Benitez have stalled and and the former Real Madrid boss has been sounded out via middlemen over a potential move to France.
Despite claims to the contrary, Newcastle owner Mike Ashley and chief executive Lee Charnley are no closer to securing an agreement with Benitez than they were several weeks ago.
Despite clinching the league title, PSG boss Thomas Tuchel’s position has been weakened by the club’s exit from the Champions League at the hands of Manchester United .
The German’s Qatari paymasters have invested heavily to secure success in Europe’s top competition and a last 16 defeat has not been well-received.
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Benitez has significant experience in the competition, having won it with Liverpool in 2005, and would have relish working with a squad that boasts undoubted quality.
Olympique Marseille would provide Benitez with the ultimate rebuilding project - bankrolled by ambitious American owner Frank McCourt.
The former owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team bought the French giants three years ago and installed Rudi Garcia as manager.
The former European Champions are miles off the pace domestically, lying 30 points behind PSG but they reached the final of the Europa League last season where they were beaten 3-0 by Atletico Madrid.
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Court has invested heavily to push his side into the Champions League qualification places, splashing out for the signings of Dimitri Payet, Kevin Strootman and Mario Balotellli.
Marseille, like Newcastle, are a huge concern but the fact they have an ambitious owner who is prepared to invest in his playing staff will appeal to Benitez.
Ideally, the Spaniard would like to remain in the north-east where he has gained a cult-like status with supporters but time is running out for the long-running contract saga to be resolved.
