Rafa Benitez too has moaned about not receiving enough backing in the transfer market in order to challenge the Premier League big-boys.
The argument isn't without its backing though, with very little to spend this summer – and Newcastle actually making a net PROFIT in the transfer market.
Loan deals for Kenedy and Salomon Rondon were added to sub-£10million buys of Yoshinori Muto, Federico Fernandez, Fabian Schar and Martin Dubravka.
In fact, Newcastle haven't spent "big" since 30 August 2005 – 13 years ago today – when they shelled-out £17m for 25-year-old Michael Owen.
In the modern era of mega-bucks spending, that statistic is gut-wrenching for the Toon faithful.
In fact, every other Premier League club has broken its own transfer record in the past two years – many of which are even this summer.
Yet Newcastle have been left to drift behind in the chasing pack, looking for shrewd, cut-price – and often underwhelming – deals.
For context, we've taken a look at all 20 Premier League clubs' record buys, the fee attached and the date… and it's absolutely scathing on the St James' Park outfit.
ARSENAL
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – £60m (January 2018)
BOURNEMOUTH
Jefferson Lerma – £25m (August 2018)
BRIGHTON
Alireza Jahanbakhsh – £17m (July 2018)
BURNLEY
Ben Gibson – £15m (August 2018)
CARDIFF
Josh Murphy & Gary Medel – £11m (June 2018 & August 2013)
CHELSEA
Kepa Arrizabalaga – £71.6m (August 2018)
CRYSTAL PALACE
Christian Benteke – £32m (August 2016)
EVERTON
Jordan Pickford – £30m (June 2017)
FULHAM
Andre-Frank Anguissa – £30m (August 2018)
HUDDERSFIELD
Terrence Kongolo – £17m (June 2018)
LEICESTER
Islam Slimani – £30m (August 2016)
LIVERPOOL
Virgil van Dijk – £75m (January 2018)
MAN CITY
Riyad Mahrez – £60m (July 2018)
MAN UNITED
Paul Pogba – £89m (August 2016)
NEWCASTLE
Michael Owen – £17m (August 2005)
SOUTHAMPTON
Guido Carrillo – £19m (January 2018)
TOTTENHAM
Davinson Sanchez – £35m (August 2017)
WATFORD
Andre Gray – £18.5m (August 2017)
WEST HAM
Felipe Anderson – £41m (July 2018)
WOLVES
Adama Traore – £22m (August 2018)
Source: Read Full Article