'It seems that things are moving forward': Positive Rafa Benitez hints he'll stay on at Newcastle this summer Rafa Benitez has indicated he is close to agreeing a deal to stay on at Newcastle There were fears the game against Liverpool could have been his last at home Benitez was upbeat on Friday and he even hinted at an announcement soon It is hoped a meeting with Mike Ashley will be sorted so they can iron things outBy Craig Hope for the Daily Mail Published: 22:31 BST, 3 May 2019 | Updated: 22:34 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 - and a meeting with Mike Ashley could seal the deal. There were fears among supporters that Saturday night's home match against Liverpool could be his last at St James' Park, his contract expiring on June 30 and talks having hit an impasse in recent weeks. But Benitez's mood was upbeat on Friday and he sounded positive in comparison to the spikiness of late, even hinting at an announcement in the near future. Rafa Benitez has indicated that he is close to agreeing a deal to stay on as Newcastle 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. 'I am positive that we are talking and everybody knows what my idea is. It seems that things are moving forward. The positives outweigh the negatives.' Benitez wants the club to commit to more ambitious expenditure on wages - in excess of £100,000 per week - 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 and it is hoped a meeting with Ashley will be scheduled. Supporters are set to voice their backing for Benitez inside what promises to be a raucous St James' on Saturday evening and the boss admits that will 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 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. Supporters are set to voice their backing for Benitez against Liverpool on Saturday evening 'I will analyse everything, but there are a lot of positives and one of them, for sure, is the fans behind us.' Benitez, though, says he will have to block out any sentiment for supporters of his title-chasing former club and insists there will be no favours. 'My relationship with the city, Liverpool, the fans, is there. I was there six years, I have good memories,' he said. 'But we are professional and we have to do our job. Jurgen Klopp will be doing his best for his fans. We will have 50,000 fans in our stadium and I think everyone will understand we will be professional to do our best. 'I have friends in the Liverpool camp, I have friends also in Manchester City camp. I have a good relationship with (Pep) Guardiola and Klopp, so I didn't want to talk with anyone from either side this week.' Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility