Newcastle set to adopt old transfer policy in first summer window as world's richest club

Newcastle United are heading into their first summer transfer window since they became the richest club in the world - but they are reportedly still set to scour the loan market for new recruits.

The Magpies became the richest club in football when they were taken over by a Saudi-backed consortium in a £305million deal last year, and they went on to spend in excess of £80million on five new players in the winter transfer window to avoid dropping out of the Premier League.

Since boosting their squad in January, Eddie Howe has led the club away from relegation danger and is now on the verge of guiding the club to an unexpected top-half finish. With just a handful of games remaining before the current campaign concludes, all eyes are now fixed firmly on the summer transfer window.

Unsurprisingly, Newcastle have already been linked with a whole host of exciting names, including Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Kalvin Phillips and Patrick Schick - but any fans expecting a lavish summer spending spree could be in for disappointment.

According to The Telegraph, the Magpies are in the market for four to six players to boost the first-team squad, but their plans could also hinge on how much money they rake in through player sales. In addition, the club also have plans to utilise the loan market again, with at least one temporary signing mooted.

Under the club's previous regime, cash was scarce and Newcastle were often forced to resort to loan signings - and it appears that there are no plans to abandon that approach for good.

While there is still scope for cash to be spent at St James' Park in the summer, Howe has previously spoken of his desire to grow the squad at Newcastle organically. And he reiterated that point at the