West Ham United are reportedly still interested in appointing Rafael Benitez as their new manager two years after narrowly missing out on the Spaniard.
Benitez is understood to have agreed a deal to succeed Sam Allardyce as West Ham boss following his departure from Napoli in 2015, only for Real Madrid to swoop in and steal him from under the Hammers' noses.
The capital outfit are on the lookout for a new manager again this summer, with David Moyes expected to leave despite guiding the team to Premier League safety during his short-term contract at the London Stadium.
The likes of Paulo Fonseca, Unai Emery and Manuel Pellegrini have all been linked with the post, and The Mirror reports that Newcastle United boss Benitez is also on their shortlist.
Benitez led the Magpies to a top-half finish in their first season back in the Premier League this term, finishing three places above West Ham and 11 points clear of the relegation zone.
However, the former Liverpool boss has often clashed with club owner Mike Ashley over the lack of transfer funds available to him, and West Ham are reportedly hopeful of enticing him to the capital with the promise of backing him in the market.
Barney Corkhill
