8 hours ago 1

'We are not making the right early moves' - Clark

With Newcastle United's transfer business under the spotlight, former Magpies midfielder Lee Clark has called for sharper decision-making as the club looks to strengthen ahead of a pivotal season.

Newcastle United have Champions League football to offer in the upcoming season, but so far they remain inactive in the transfer market, with only speculation and rumours linking them to potential signings.

"It's a game of chess, isn't it, from the buying club to the selling club," Clark said on BBC Radio Newcastle. "The frustrating thing from Newcastle's point of view is that we seem to go in and have to do it three or four times.

"And when I say go in, I mean go in and get a bid rejected, whereas our rivals in the top six get close, maybe with the first offer and go smash it with the second.

"And with the type of players we are looking to bring in now, we are looking at the real elite level.

"Just seems to be that we are not making the right early moves in terms of making things happen. Obviously, you don't want to be paying over the odds. But we've gone three windows without really signing anyone in terms of seniority to help the team, and this summer is crucial for us - we've got to learn from the last Champions League campaign. Certainly got a terrific squad, but not big enough."