Get the latest NUFC transfer and takeover news straight to your inbox for FREE by signing up to our newsletter Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Newcastle United are ready to cool their interest in the French market as they look to assemble a squad capable of enduring the rigours of the Sky Bet Championship.

United did not send scouts to many of the international friendly games during the build-up to Euro 2016, but while they aren’t abandoning signing players from abroad all together, Rafa Benitez is being as meticulous as ever when it comes to bringing in the right type of characters in what will be a well-contested Championship next term.

Benitez already has his spies and scouts stationed around the world, and it is believed that at Liverpool he once made it clear to his staff to continually update a list of the top 20 or so players in each country across Europe to stay ahead of the game.

But for Benitez and Newcastle it is all about the here and now - and finding players that can handle the intensity of the second tier of English football.

The Magpies have already adjusted their pre-season plans ahead of the 46-game marathon programme that lies in wait with Benitez preparing between five and seven friendly games this summer with the bulk of the fixtures taking place in the UK.

However, fans are eager to see what happens at St James’ Park this summer when it comes to recruitment.

Newcastle have been able to steal something of a march on clubs like Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers and Leeds United in the last few weeks with the trio of ex-Premier League clubs appointing Roberto Di Matteo, Owen Coyle and Garry Monk in recent days.

During that time, Benitez has been holding a thorough review of how Newcastle go about their business in the transfer market.

The Magpies have signed a host of players from Ligue 1 in recent years such as Moussa Sissoko, Massadio Haidara, Yoan Gouffran, Manu Riviere, Remy Cabella, Florian Thauvin and Henri Saivet.

But Saivet could be the last expensive arrival from the French league for some time as Benitez looks to find the right balance in his squad and bid for an instant return to the Premier League.

Benitez has already started to restructure the way Newcastle scout players and has rolled out his own contact book and methods to ensure no time is wasted in what is going to be a short summer break for United.

Chief scout Graham Carr and his recruitment team remain on the books at Newcastle despite talk that the Geordie talent spotter would quit after Benitez’s appointment.

Although, it is believed that Newcastle won’t be as reliant on scouting missions to France, and there will be more emphasis on bringing in younger hungry players from the UK that will be ready to hit the ground running in the Premier League if the Magpies achieve their aim of promotion at the first time of asking.

Newcastle are ready to offload Cabella and Thauvin while they will listen to offers for Riviere and Gouffran.

Yet it is understood that Newcastle are aiming to sell players rather than loan them out this summer unlike last term when Cabella and Thauvin were sent to Marseille on temporary deals.

January transfer flop Saivet would arguably welcome an escape back to France on loan but Newcastle would only consider selling the £35,000 per week midfielder who has made just four appearances since coming from Bordeaux earlier this year.

Saivet was highly recommended by Carr and pushed the way of ex-head coach Steve McClaren but has failed to impress after a reported £4.5million move to Tyneside.

Whether Saivet is ready to fight for his place when he returns for pre-season and do a job in the Championship remains to be seen.

But Saivet’s transfer is the ideal case in point for Newcastle and their recent transactions in the transfer market.

Benitez will be looking to avoid a repeat of such situations and is confident of some recruitment success after being handed full control of transfers.

When asked about the situation recently, Benitez said: “What I have is the conviction that I can tell the fans that they don’t need to be worried about that.

“We will try to bring the best players possible and have a strong squad.”

One of Benitez’s first priorities is to bring in a proven striker but the Spaniard has also spoken about plans to hold on to the “majority” of his squad and that no player will be sold if the deal isn’t the right one for the club.

Newcastle fans will be hoping they see a refreshed and competitive team on the pitch by the time they are ready to kick off the new Championship season on the first weekend of August.

By then the green shoots of recovery after relegation should be in sight.