According to an exclusive report in The Mirror, Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez is at the top of West Ham United's four-man shortlist as they start their search for a replacement for David Moyes, but Magpies fans believe it is all part of a plan from the 58-year-old Spaniard.

The former Liverpool and Real Madrid boss is keen to be backed by owner Mike Ashley in the transfer market this summer, in order to help the club progress following an impressive 10th-place finish in their first season back in the Premier League.

The interest from the east London outfit may well force Ashley to act and give the 5ft 9in tall chief what he wants, and that is what the St James' Park faithful will be demanding too given Benitez has become such a huge fans' favourite over the course of the last two years.

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Newcastle supporters, who are growing tired with links to a striker who has scored 34 goals this season, were quick to have their say on the Benitez to West Ham rumours via social media, and while one said "talks haven't progressed enough so he's taking action", another said it's "Rafa being very clever and playing Ashley through the media, in order to get what he wants".

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…