Former midfielder Nolberto Solano believes it is imperative that Newcastle United spend money this summer.
Newcastle secured themselves an immediate return to the Premier League ahead of the 2017=18 season, but Solano believes new signings must be made if they are to stand a chance at survival.
Manager Rafa Benitez made wholesale changes to his first-team squad following their relegation a year ago, raising over £80million from player sales and spending little under £60million on new recruits.
The Spaniard is set to pick up where he left off by adding several more players to his ranks this summer, and he will particularly target talent with Premier League experience.
However, Solano is worried that Newcastle owner Mike Ashley might not stump up the cash to grant Benitez his full backing until the last minute, in a thinly-veiled dig at the St. James’ Park chief.
He told the Chronicle: “They need to spend money. I think everybody can see that. How much will Mike Ashley make available? Well, we’ll know on deadline day.
“The hardest thing is attracting players. There are clubs offering £80,000, £90,000 and up to £100,000 per week. Newcastle might find it hard to compete with that this summer as they’ve just got back.
“So can Mr Ashley offer more wages? We’ll have to see.”
Solano’s suggestion that Newcastle will learn how much they have available to spend only on transfer deadline day, sees the former Magpies player critical of Ashley’s attitude towards transfers.
Ashley has proven a stiff negotiator for Benitez since his arrival at the club in 2016, and the Spaniard found it particularly difficult to follow through with his transfer plans during the January window.
Benitez had set his sights on a number of targets to aid their Championship promotion bid, only to end up empty-handed over a lack of clarity as to who held the control of the club’s transfer dealings.
However, Ashley did come out ahead of the summer and issue Benitez his full backing, but until Newcastle make further progress with their top deals, the jury will remain out on Ashley’s intentions.