Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez says he's determined to keep hold of Ayoze Perez.

Newcastle are in limbo at the moment, unable to sort out new player contracts or go for Benitez's targets with the manager yet to extend his deal which ends on June 30.

But Benitez said: “Fight to keep him? Yeah, he is an important player for us. At the same time, the prices of players are so crazy it is not easy to say, 'I will go and get this player or that player.' It is the same for us. If someone comes, we'll see where we are but I think Ayoze could be fine if we do the right things and he is happy because we can do the right things.

“I think at the end of the season you will see a lot of clubs linked with selling four or five players and wanting to buy four or five. This is normal, everyone is thinking about the future. What will happen with him? I do not see any problem now.

"Finish the season, see what happens and if someone comes for this player or that it is very normal when players are doing well. If someone comes deal with that."