Benitez close to new deal

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is close to signing a new contract with the club, says chief executive Rick Parry.

The Spaniard has 18 months left on his current contract and has been linked with Real Madrid in recent months.

“He is nearly there,” said Parry.

“The owners have made a commitment and said they wanted to extend and keep him. Clearly he wants to stay, so yes it will be done.

“We have had a few hold-ups this week with his unfortunate illness.

“That has slightly got in the way, but it won’t be very long now. I cannot be specific, but it is very close now.”

Parry also commented on the January transfer window.

“It is difficult to do smart business in January,” he said. “Teams still in the Champions League certainly are not going to sell, and it takes time to settle players in.

“Ideally you do your business in the summer, so your players can have a whole pre-season with you rather than playing catch up. But we will see.

“I really do not think we will be doing a great deal of business in January. We have got the squad.”

[Source: The People]