While Newcastle United are focusing intently on eight coming games that hold an almost immeasurable magnitude on the complexion of the club's future, their manager has been linked with a move away.

Such is the standing of Rafa Benitez in European football, seeing the Spaniard touted in the media for other jobs is always going to be a likely occurrence during his tenure on Tyneside, no matter how long or short it turns out to be. Indeed, it's not even the first time this season he's been linked with an exit, with both Arsenal and clubs in the Chinese Super League credited with an interest in him of late.

Still, what makes the most recent rumours so interesting are the fact they centre around a potential move to West Ham United. Though their maiden campaign in their new home has been an almighty struggle at times, there's little doubting the Hammers are an upwardly mobile and ambitious Premier League side geared for success. However, is that really much different to the plans Newcastle have?

Clearly, there was a breakdown in communications between Benitez and top brass at St. James' Park over the course of the January transfer window. With no one new arriving to aid the promotion push in black and white, the 56-year-old's long-term future was cast into doubt over a tense start to 2017 in the North East.

However, I've previously written about how Mike Ashley has proven willing to back his managers in the top flight, with the Magpies splashing out £50m in the summer of 2015 alone, making them one of the highest spending teams in Europe at the time. In fact, Benitez himself has recently spoken about a 'bright future' for the Toon Army and the Chronicle suggests transfer meetings ahead of next season have already been held.

''This is a big club and we can have a very bright future I’m sure. The fans are incredible, the stadium is superb, the staff, everything is in place to allow this club to achieve great things.''

The 'bigger club' debate is an age old one and an argument that has no real tangible answer when talking about Newcastle United and West Ham. Clearly, the notion of challenging for the top six in east London is somewhat more readily achievable right now, though the Newcastle project has seemed to appeal to Benitez. Why stay on in charge even in the Championship, if you plan on jumping ship to a team who probably cannot offer you much more than you're already on?

Granted, the looming figure of Mike Ashley in the boardroom may well complicate matters. While rebuilding Newcastle from the mess the last few years have left them in may be difficult to do with such an inherent distrust of the owner, the fact is, the Sports Direct mogul is always going divide opinion amongst the club's support.

The reports over Benitez's future sparked backlash online against Ashley and his boardroom and rightly so. Still, it's not as if moving to the Irons would mean working under heavenly chairmen.

David Gold and Sullivan have attracted a lot of criticism for their rather public transfer pursuits, leaving egg on their own faces as they chase for a top-level striker led to the signing of Simone Zaza. Also, the fact they are even reportedly considering getting rid of Slaven Bilic after his wonderful first season in charge would suggest they aren't the most patient bosses in the world.

Benitez's reputation as gun-for-hire is being lifted at Newcastle, a city in which he is absolutely adored. That seems to appeal to a man who constantly fought battles during his time in charge of Chelsea and Real Madrid, so entering another loveless marriage with West Ham seems like a strange move for the Toon's beating heart.

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