Rafa Benitez lined up if Slaven Bilic fails
Bilic had talks with Hammers co-owner Dave Sullivan after his side lost their opening three games and the Croatian rejected the chance to strengthen his squad with Bayern Munich’s Renato Sanches, who joined Swansea, and Paris Saint-Germain’s Grzegorz Krychowiak, who moved to West Brom on loan.
Benitez is considering his future in the northeast after being denied the funds by Mike Ashley he believed he needed to strengthen his squad.
Benitez is highly thought of by the Hammers board and came close to taking over at the club two years ago, until Real Madrid hijacked their bid.
He has previously said he feels indebted to the Hammers after his eleventh-hour change of mind. He does have a £6million exit clause in his Newcastle contract for which the Hammers would have to pay.