Rafael Benitez's future at Newcastle United has been plunged into doubt as the club's prospective new owner has reportedly targeted a high-profile managerial appointment.

Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nahyan is in advanced talks with Mike Ashley over purchasing the Premier League side in a £350m deal.

According to The Mirror, the billionaire and his Abu Dhabi-based group have their own managerial targets in mind, with Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger at the top of their hitlist.

Mourinho has been out of work since being sacked by Manchester United in December, while Wenger has been without a job since stepping down as Arsenal boss in May 2018.

Benitez has spent the last three years in charge of Newcastle, but his contract expires at the end of this month.

Gennaro Gattuso has also been linked with the St James' Park post.