Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez is wanted by this European club

Roma have included Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez on their managerial shortlist, write Gazzetta dello Sport.

The Serie A side are seeking a permanent successor to Claudio Ranieri, who has departed the Stadio Olimpico after his time as interim head coach came to an end.

Benitez's contract at St James' Park expires next month and he is yet to agree a new deal.

The Spaniard wants assurances over transfer funds and the future of the club, with the Magpies having been linked with a £350m takeover by Sheikh Khaled.

And Roma could take advantage of the uncertainty if they make Benitez their leading target.

The Giallorossi are also considering Marco Giampaolo, Roberto De Zerbi and Maurizio Sarri, who is the favourite to take charge of Juventus.

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Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football journalist who's filled in wherever FourFourTwo needs him since 2014. He became a Crystal Palace fan after watching a 1-0 loss to Port Vale in 1998, and once got on the scoresheet in a primary school game against Wilfried Zaha's Whitehorse Manor (an own goal in an 8-0 defeat).