Newcastle United are holding new contract talks with manager Rafa Benitez independent of negotiations over the club's sale.

The Evening Chronicle says Benitez is reaching decision day in his contract extension discussions with Newcastle.

Despite an initial meeting with Mike Ashley on May 17, Benitez has held very little dialogue with the United owner since and the talks have continued with managing director Lee Charnley over phone and email.

However, Benitez is edging closer to an answer with the clock ticking down towards the expiry date of his current arrangement on June 30.

And it is believed that the bulk of the discussions on what is on offer for Benitez and his backroom team have now taken place with no further showdown meeting expected.