Liverpool flashed the cheque book to sign top stars Jose Enrique and Andy Carroll, and Mike Ashley was only too happy to cash the dosh without a fight.
Chelsea are planning a £30m raid in the summer to land the Newcastle pair Cheick Tioté and Tim Krul, and Lawrenson says the club will not stand in their way.
It can only be speculation ... because Chelsea don't officially have a manager ... but Krul and Tioté were targeted as part of the rebuilding progress at Chelsea that began under Andre Villas-Boas, before he was dismissed earlier this month.
Whoever comes in is sure to overhaul the ageing squad at Stamford Bridge and create a side capable of challenging for the Premier League title.
But who is to say they will want to sign Cheick Tioté and Tim Krul?
Newcastle managing director Derek Llambias admitted recently that they would struggle to hold on to Tioté if any club came forward with a strong offer.
That is as good as putting a transfer tag on the midfielder's head, probably hoping the big money clubs like Manchester City and Manchester United take notice.
Liverpool are also long-term admirers of Tioté, having had the player watched before he signed for Newcastle from Twente for a bargain £3.5m.
Krul is wanted by Spurs - and that is not speculation - that is a FACT!
Mark Lawrenson: "Newcastle still cannot compete with Liverpool, and I don't think they will get into Europe.
"They will sell two of their star players, at least!
"They will struggle to hang onto the stars who are looking to play in the Champions League, and like Andy Carroll, I know the club will take the money."