Rafael Benitez 'offered escape route by Chinese club'

Rafael Benitez has reportedly been offered a route out of Newcastle United by wealthy Chinese Super League giants Shanghai SIPG.

The 58-year-old's future at St James' Park continues to be uncertain, despite publicly claiming earlier this week that he is "happy" at the club.

Benitez, out of contract at the end of the season, has been left disappointed by a lack of financial backing from owner Mike Ashley.

United have also made a dreadful start to the Premier League season, collecting just three points from their first 10 matches to find themselves occupying 19th place.

The Mirror suggests that Benitez now has the chance to leave Newcastle, though, as Shanghai SIPG are willing to pay him £10m a year to join them.

An approach is said to have been made by the Far East side, with the Spaniard potentially more than doubling his current salary if he swaps clubs.