Newcastle, who are majority owned by Saudi Arabia’s wealthy Public Investment Fund, do not want to be held to ransom over fees, which is causing transfer progress to slow down.
The wage structure in place is strict too, and the club are being careful not to break it for a new recruit, while hoping star striker Alexander Isak signs an improved contract.
There is a sense in the fanbase that Newcastle should look abroad for better value signings, having had previous success with Isak and midfielders Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali.
“We just can’t afford to shop domestically all the time,” Adam Widdrington, from the Newcastle United fan podcast True Faith, told BBC Sport.
“Even though the market abroad feels a little inflated, generally speaking there is better value overseas when buying players willing to make a move to England. In particular, those players going slightly under the radar but with impressive form over the past couple of seasons.”
Newcastle have cast their net further afield, with soon to be free-agent striker Jonathan David admired. But a deal for the Canadian looks unlikely, despite sources telling BBC Sport that his wage demands have cooled the possibility of a move to Serie A champions Napoli.
Some exits are also possible, with midfielder Joe Willock and Sean Longstaff linked with moves away. The latter’s future may hinge on Newcastle needing to meet a ‘homegrown’ quota for their Champions League squad. Veteran striker Callum Wilson, 33, is in talks over a new contract with his deal set to expire this month.
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