Newcastle United have made an approach to take Kenedy on loan from Chelsea.
The 21-year-old Brazilian was disciplined by Chelsea after posting offensive messages against the Chinese while on tour in the Far East.
Benitez signed Christian Atsu from Chelsea earlier in the summer and failed in a bid to sign Tammy Abraham on loan but the Stamford Bridge club are keen for Kenedy to gain further experience and game time.
The Brazil U20 international had a spell at Watford last season but made just one appearance.