Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley has assured manager Rafa Benitez of another major signing this summer - if he pens new terms.

Ashley gave Benitez the green light to smash the club's long standing transfer record with the £20million capture of Atlanta United's Miguel Almiron during the January window.

The Mirror says a top St. James' Park source insists a promise of another big outlay in the transfer market has been made.

“Mike is prepared to break the club's transfer record again if Rafa is prepared to commit his own future to Newcastle," explained the insider.

“He feels that regarding the manager's contract the ball is now in Rafa's court. Despite Mike actively looking to sell he has still funded the move for Miguel Almiron.

“And with it looking increasingly likely that there will be no progress in that direction he is prepared to back Rafa again for new players.

“But that is dependent on Rafa putting pen to paper."