Toon set to spend over R2,4-billion

NEWCASTLE United could become the Premier League’s third biggest spenders this season by investing more than £100-million in players.

They are confident of sealing an ambitious double swoop for West Brom striker Saido Berahino and Spurs winger Andros Townsend and take their outlay since the summer beyond a staggering nine figures.

Only Manchester City (£153.5m) and Manchester United (£108m) have spent more on their playing squad this year. Newcastle owner Mike Ashley put up £55m during the close-season, giving them the division’s second-highest net spend with £14.5m Dutch midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum their marquee addition.

However, they have struggled for form under the charge of new head coach Steve McClaren and were back in the bottom three after Swansea’s 1-0 win against Watford this week.

Ashley does not want to miss out on a share of next season’s £3-billion TV deal and has sanctioned the January splurge in a bid to guarantee survival.

Jonjo Shelvey – signed from Swansea last week for £12m – was man of the match against the Hammers and £4.5m Henri Saivet also made his debut having arrived from Bordeaux.

The board are pushing ahead with deals for Berahino and Townsend. A club-record offer in the region of £18m has been made for Berahino. The 22-yearold is desperate to quit West Brom this month and is willing to talk, with a proposed move to Spurs now seemingly off.

Townsend is valued at £12m and has told Newcastle he wants to sign, with a fitness plan having already been devised for him by backroom staff on Tyneside.

The pre-season target was a top-eight finish and Ashley says he will not sell the club until they have won a trophy or played Champions League football.

The billionaire has also listened to the recommendations of McClaren, who wants to establish a British core in the squad and move away from their preference for signings from the continent. McClaren is said to be alarmed at the £13m spent on Florian Thauvin and the winger is set to return to Marseille on loan once Townsend arrives. – Daily Mail