Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez will aim to maximise the summer transfer kitty he has been afforded by targeting loan signings alongside permanent transfers.
The Spaniard will aim to attract fringe players and youngsters from the Premier League’s top-six sides, as well as from foreign clubs, on temporary deals.
Benitez wants to bring in between seven and 10 players during the transfer window in order to prepare his Championship-winning side for the challenge of the Premier League next season.
The Magpies manager recommitted his future to the club in midweek following positive talks with owner Mike Ashley, who publicly promised Benitez “every last penny that the club generates” to spend.
Benitez’s transfer kitty will be comprised of the increased income promotion brings - the club will make £110million in TV revenue alone next season, as opposed to the £7.1m they earned in winning the Championship this time, but some of that revenue will be used to cover day-to-day running costs - and will then be bolstered by player sales and by freeing up space in the wage bill.
Though permanent acquisitions will be sought, Benitez recognises that his budget - which will be between £70m-£110m depending upon how successfully the club can recoup money from player sales - is unlikely to prove sufficient given the current inflated market.
As a result, the 57-year-old will look to augment his squad with quality loan signings.
Temporary deals can be structured in such a way as to postpone paying a full transfer fee until a later date, meaning the cost can be spread over more than one season.
Loans can also prove to be relatively risk free; as long as there is no automatic-purchase clause inserted, the financial outlay is usually negligible even if a signing fails to make an impact.
During the mid-season window, Benitez attempted to reinforce his squad by using the loan market, and he will look to do likewise this summer.
Chelsea’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek was targeted in January before Antonio Conte decided he wanted to keep the attacking-midfielder at Stamford Bridge for back-up, but it is believed that the England Under-21 international could be sent out on a temporary deal next season.
Defender Nathan Ake was also handed his Premier League debut by Benitez back in December 2012 and, after a successful six-month stint at AFC Bournemouth, his situation is being monitored.
The Magpies retain positive relations with the Blues following the loan signing of Christian Atsu, who could yet join on a permanent deal too.
But it will not just be Chelsea who United will look towards for talent - with Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur among the clubs who are likely to have players available for loan.
Newcastle were linked with Man City defender Eliaquim Mangala and midfielder Fernando last week, while Fabian Delph and Kelechi Iheanacho are also players who Pep Guardiola may be willing to send out on loan.
But it not just domestic players Benitez will look to sign, either.
The Magpies boss has extensive contacts across the Continent, particularly in Italy and his home country Spain, and Benitez is understood to have been keeping tabs on a number of European-based players in recent months.