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Five key jobs for Newcastle United's prospective new owners

Five key jobs for Newcastle's prospective new owners
© Reuters
There are plenty of items to sort out at Premier League club this summer.

Sheikh Khaled Bin Zayed Al Nahyan is working to complete a takeover at Newcastle after agreeing terms with Mike Ashley, the billionaire has said.

The Dubai-based tycoon says he has "agreed terms" and is now attempting to "complete the transaction at the earliest opportunity".

Here, Press Association Sport looks at what might be waiting in the new owner's in-tray if the deal goes through.

Rafa Benitez's contract

Rafael Benitez's contract runs out in June
Rafael Benitez's contract runs out in June (Owen Humphreys/PA)

It is not inconceivable to think that any new owner might have a different manager in mind, but Benitez is hugely popular with the fans and it would be a major gamble not to renew his contract, which expires at the end of June. Benitez has often called for Ashley to loosen the purse strings and give him more cash to spend in the transfer market, money he would expect to be available in the event of a takeover.

Sort out Salomon Rondon's future

Rondon spent last season on loan at Newcastle from West Brom and proved a major success, scoring 12 goals in all competitions, including the opener in January's win over champions Manchester City. The Venezuela striker has said he wants to stay on Tyneside and West Brom's failure to secure promotion from the Championship could mean a cheaper deal is available.

Improve the training ground/academy

Lee Charnley has disagreed with Rafael Benitez's view on the club's academy
Lee Charnley has disagreed with Rafael Benitez's view on the club's academy (Owen Humphreys/PA)

Benitez is not satisfied with the number of youngsters coming through the club's academy and would like to see money spent on the training ground to boost the chances of producing homegrown talent. However, managing director Lee Charnley has previously indicated that the club would be better spending the money on players.

Transfer funds

Miguel Almiron became Newcastle's most expensive signing in January
Miguel Almiron became Newcastle's most expensive signing in January (Owen Humphreys/PA)

Newcastle broke their transfer record to sign Paraguay international Miguel Almiron from Atlanta United in January, the £21million fee exceeding by £5million the amount paid for Michael Owen 14 years earlier. Although previous high-profile signings have a mixed record on Tyneside, Magpies fans remain desperate for the club to spend big and aim for some rare silverware.

The futures of Sean Longstaff and Ayoze Perez

Ayoze Perez scored six goals in the last five games of the campaign
Ayoze Perez scored six goals in the last five games of the campaign (Owen Humphreys/PA)

Both players have been linked with a move away from Newcastle this summer, with Longstaff reportedly attracting the interest of Manchester United and Perez said to be wanted by Tottenham and Napoli. Whether the club will be prepared to let either player leave remains to be seen and will be complicated further if the prospective takeover drags on.

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Mike Ashley pictured in June 2016
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Dubai Sheikh confirms "terms agreed" for Newcastle takeover
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CManchester CityMan City38322495237298
2Liverpool38307189226797
3Chelsea38219863392472
4Tottenham HotspurSpurs382321367392871
5Arsenal382171073512270
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd381991065541166
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves38169134746157
8Everton38159145446854
9Leicester CityLeicester38157165148352
10West Ham UnitedWest Ham38157165255-352
11Watford38148165259-750
12Crystal Palace38147175153-249
13Newcastle UnitedNewcastle38129174248-645
14Bournemouth38136195670-1445
15Burnley38117204568-2340
16Southampton38912174565-2039
17Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton3899203560-2536
RCardiff CityCardiff38104243469-3534
RFulham3875263481-4726
RHuddersfield TownHuddersfield3837282276-5416

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