The new Magpies manager says that they are targeting a higher calibre of player this summer, including those from Champions League clubs, with the PSV captain expected to sign
Newcastle manager Steve McClaren says that the Magpies are "close to making our first signings" as they look to secure midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum from PSV.
The former England boss succeeded John Carver at St James's Park this summer and is keen to implement an ambitious new long-term plan, with a higher calibre of player being targeted than before.
Goal understands that Wijnaldum, who turned down Sunderland earlier this summer, is the most advanced of Newcastle's targeted deals - which also include moves for Charlie Austin, Joel Matip and Florian Thauvin - and McClaren is unworried about taking their time over their summer business.
"We're close to making our first signings," he told reporters.
"Believe me, there is a massive willingness from the club to spend. I've come in and looked at the plan, looked at the calibre of players we're targeting and said 'wow'.
"We've talked a lot about the next three transfer windows being huge, massive, for us. Let's make sure we get the right players. If we do, then, in a year's time – after the third window – we should have a damn good team and the squad should be on a different level to where we are now. That's purely because we're looking at players above a certain [price] bracket.
"We've put our objectives on the line and Mike Ashley has said: 'Go on, fulfil it'. We're looking for a calibre of player to improve what we've got but, when you go £10m-plus – to Europa League and Champions League players at top clubs – competition is high so, no, I'm not in the least frustrated at the length of time it's taking to get the first player in. Sometimes the right ones take a little bit of extra time - and we need to get the right ones.
"We have got one or two positions we need to fill desperately so we might need to buy about four or five players this window. That would be great. I think everybody would be happy if we could do that."
McClaren was also appointed to the club's board upon his arrival at St James's Park but says that, while his overall role entails "a bit of both" between directorial and coaching capacities, he will primarily be handling the players.
"[I'll be] a bit of both but the majority of my time – 90 per cent – will be spent on the training field," he explained. "That's the job, improving, coaching the players, getting them organised, getting them fit and also helping with recruitment."
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