Mike Ashley expects Rafa Benitez to commit his future to Newcastle after splashing out on £21million record signing Miguel Almiron in January, according to the Mirror.
The club broke their 13-year-old transfer record for the Paraguayan from Atlanta United, and much-maligned owner Ashley now wants Benitez to sign a new three-year contract at St James' Park.
With the Spaniard's contract expiring at the end of the season, Ashley has given him six weeks to decide his future.
However, the sportswear mogul is confident that delivering his top transfer target will be enough to convince him to stay.
Benitez is a popular figure on Tyneside after leading Newcastle to promotion in 2017 and then keeping them in the Premier League last season.
Almiron is awaiting a work permit before he can make his debut, but fellow January signing Antonio Barreca - on loan from Monaco - made his debut off the bench in a tight defeat to Tottenham on Saturday.
The deal for Almiron had initially reached an internal impasse as Benitez would not sign a new deal without the transfer, while Ashley would not sanction the move without Benitez committing to the club.
However, now that has been resolved, Ashley is offering a three-year contract with significant bonuses and the promise of more transfer activity in the summer.