Elapsed compensation clause in Benitez’s contract raises chances of Newcastle exit

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Rafa Benitez is growing frustrated at Newcastle United’s lack of activity in the January transfer market, according to the Times.

They report that he refused to guarantee that he would still be with the north east club at the end of the season after another window of stagnation.

Perhaps more concerningly, they also claim that Benitez did have a clause in his contract where he would have had to pay Newcastle £6m himself if he walked out on the club – but it has now expired.

That raises the chances that Benitez will leave the club before his contract expires at the end of the season – now that he will not have to personally pay for his own departure.

The clause was clearly a desperate attempt for Mike Ashley to engineer a situation where Benitez wouldn’t want to walk away from the club, but now it is no longer in effect, the prospect of the Spaniard leaving has edged closer.

Rafa clearly loves Newcastle – and he stuck with the club when they went down to the Championship – but it only a matter of time before he reaches his breaking point.

The only thing that could compound the misery of a poor transfer window would be the departure of Benitez – and while his loyalty may yet keep him at the club, his financial situation no longer necessitates it.