"?Rafa Benitez is on the verge of completing a sensational U-turn by agreeing a deal to stay with Newcastle United, according to "?Mirror Sport.
A relegation clause was inserted into the Spaniard's contract, which meant that he could walk away from the Magpies instead of facing the difficulties presented by the Championship.
However, the former Real Madrid boss believes Newcastle are packed with potential and he has been enticed by the prospect of restoring them to their former glory.
The 56-year-old has been locked in negotiations with Mike Ashley over the last week and they have been thrashing out a deal which will gift him complete control over transfers.
However, the future of chief scout Graham Carr is now shrouded in uncertainty as Benitez is demanding that he be replaced by Frank McParland, who he enjoyed a prosperous relationship with at Liverpool.
Ashley is reluctant to give Carr the axe but accepts that the former Northampton Town boss is responsible for sanctioning moves for some woeful players.
Newcastle have spent over £100m in transfers over the past 18 months, but they are now bracing themselves for a string of high-profile departures as they enter the Championship.
Moussa Sissoko and Georginio Wijnaldum have been linked with moves to Arsenal and Southampton respectively, whilst Andros Townsend could see his stock rise if he performs well for England at the European Championships.