'It seems that things are moving forward': Rafa Benitez hopeful of agreeing deal to stay at Newcastle Rafa Benitez's current Newcastle contract as manager is over on June 30 But the Spaniard has held talks with Lee Charnley and is in a positive mood Benitez is gearing up to take on his former club Liverpool on Saturday evening By Craig Hope for MailOnline Published: 15:30 BST, 3 May 2019 | Updated: 15:48 BST, 3 May 2019 Viewcomments Rafa Benitez has indicated for the first time that he is close to agreeing a deal to stay on as Newcastle United manager. The Spaniard’s mood was markedly more positive on Friday than it has been in recent weeks, leading to fears among fans that he could quit the club this summer. But Benitez has revealed that further talks have now taken place and has even hinted at an announcement in the near future. Rafa Benitez has indicated he is close to agreeing a deal to stay as Newcastle United manager ‘I was talking with Lee Charnley (managing director) this week and we will let you know as soon as we have more news,’ he said. ‘Still I am positive that we are talking and everybody knows what my idea is. At least we have been talking and we know that we can move forward a little bit. 'It seems that things are moving forward. The positives outweigh the negatives.’ Benitez, whose contract expires on June 30, wants the club to commit to more ambitious expenditure on wages, as well as affording him the freedom to sign players of any age, should he see fit. Newcastle have been steadfast on their policy of signing players under the age of 26 with sell-on value, although it looks as if a middle ground will now be met. Benitez's current Newcastle agreement will expire at the end of the Premier League season Supporters are set to voice their backing for Benitez when they play their final home game against Liverpool on Saturday night, and the boss admits that does have a bearing on his decision. ‘I know the fans are supporting me and are trying to convince me to stay, they are trying to go for the emotional way, like they did the first year,’ he said. ‘I appreciate that and I am really pleased with that because I am happy in the city, I am happy here. ‘The point is we want to progress and we want to be more competitive and we want to be in a better position. ‘I will analyse everything, but there are a lot of positives and one of them, for sure, is the fans behind us. Still the fans want the best for the team, like us.’ Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility