Newcastle owner Mike Ashley is miffed that Rafa Benitez has never invited him to watch training - but would still be likely to accept an offer from the manager, raising the possibility of the pair mending their broken relationship
Sportsmail has learned that the sports retail tycoon is irritated that the Spaniard has never invited him to take in a session at the club's North Tyneside base or invited him to a game, issues which we understand have been raised during meetings involving both sides
The pair do not speak and Benitez only communicates with Ashley through managing director Lee Charnley
But we have been told that, were Benitez to extend an olive branch to Ashley, there is a chance they could meet face-to-face in a more relaxed setting away from the negotiating table
Sources close to the owner say he does not want to be at war with Benitez. The news will offer hope for supporters that the popular boss could yet stay on beyond this season - when his contract expires - but it is further evidence of the stand-off which exists between them
Sources have spoken of the 'stubbornness' and 'principles' of both men being a part of the problem which is jeopardising the future of the club
Benitez wanted a guarantee of transfer funds and promises over improvements to the training ground and academy before signing a contract extension this summer
Ashley, though, wanted the manager to commit before pledging his support. The manager, it is said, could not trust the club to keep their word
The upshot was a close-season where the Magpies returned a profit of around £20million on player trading and has left the boss unhappy with the strength of his squad
Indeed, he said on the eve of Wednesday's League Cup exit at Nottingham Forest that Ashley's failure to back him in the summer meant he was unable to play a stronger side for the tie
Benitez's repeated reference of his misgivings with the regime at St James' Park has led fans to fear - with justification - that this is the beginning of the end for the man who led them to a 10th-placed finish last season and had expected support from above on the back of that
The January transfer window, it would appear, is the last chance to satisfy Benitez's demands and a meeting between the two in person, it is said, would go a long way to healing their rift
Meanwhile, we have been told that Ashley now has a line of communication with captain Jamaal Lascelles
We understand the owner is keen to make an effort to keep on top of concerns among the squad following a second summer in which a row over bonuses provided an unhealthy distraction
Lascelles' part in that disagreement - which was later resolved - is said to have contributed to him being unsettled in recent weeks
He voiced his disapproval over the manager's tactics ahead of Sunday's 2-1 defeat by Chelsea, during which the hosts played with a five-man defence
He was then involved in a training-ground bust-up with team-mate Matt Ritchie after the winger told the defender he should not question Benitez's game-plan
The boss spoke to both players and, while all parties shook hands, Lascelles did not feature against Chelsea
Benitez says the 24-year-old reported an ankle injury and he was sent for a scan this week, although he is likely to be fit to face Manchester City on Saturday
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