RAFAEL BENITEZ is expecting to hear a transfer update from managing director Lee Charnley at the beginning of June, as Newcastle United consider a range of potential targets.

It has emerged that former Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel has been offered to Benitez in recent days, having outlined a desire to return to the Premier League after two years in Turkey.

The centre-back is 33 now and wants to give the English top-flight one final go, although he also has the option of playing for Rangers under his former Liverpool team-mate Steven Gerrard.

Newcastle are keen to bring in an extra defender to compete with Jamaal Lascelles and Florian Lejeune, particularly when Chancel Mbemba could move on if the right offer comes along this summer.

Skrtel – signed by Benitez at Liverpool in 2008 - doesn’t suit the player model Newcastle have been trying to recruit under Mike Ashley’s ownership, although Benitez is striving to add greater experience to his squad to boost his options at the top level.

Benitez - whose chances of landing Chelsea winger Kenedy this summer appear to be receding because of Champions League interest - is keen to strengthen in a variety of areas and he has told Charnley that, so is hoping to hear back from him on that front before the middle of next week.

A lot has been made about the impasse over Benitez’s contract talks as he prepares to enter the final year, but he is still pressing ahead with his recruitment ideas in the hope that an agreement is reached.

Newcastle are known to be one of a number of clubs keen on Kevin Mrabti. The Sweden international will be out of contract at Djurgardens when the Swedish league comes to an end and Benitez is keen.

Mrabti said: "Clearly, I have explained to Bosse Andersson (Djurgardens' sports director) that I have a chance to go abroad now. This is my fourth year here and I feel I’ve done a lot for the club.”

Another player Benitez knows all about is Juventus’ midfielder Stefano Sturaro. They were heavily linked with him last summer but a deal failed to materialise.

However, Sturaro still figures prominently in Newcastle’s list of targets and they will be considering the alternatives before deciding whether to make a bid for a player who is likely to leave Juve before the start of next season.