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Newcastle United board member Bob Moncur has vowed the club WILL invest in new stars this summer – but says the club’s transfer warchest must be spent right.

United will kick off their spending spree in the next couple of weeks and want to sign six new players to hand Steve McClaren a competitive squad that can fight for a top eight place. Newcastle have held talks with Charlie Austin’s representatives and are keen on Florian Thauvin of Marseille.

United may have to fast-track their move with Austin with interest building, and are considering a £9million bid.

But Moncur says that the recruitment drive will mean nothing if they don’t get the right players, which is one of the reasons why Mike Ashley has overhauled his boardroom.

Club legend Moncur, promoted from his ambassadorial role, has given an insight into Ashley’s thinking ahead of a crunch transfer window for the club.

“There will be money spent this summer but that’s one thing. How it’s spent is another and that’s the biggest thing in football,” he said.

“It’s like Mike Ashley in his business. I’m sure in his businesses he gets his top people round, says ‘We’ve got a problem here’ and lets throw some money at it and it’ll be sorted. In the world of football it doesn’t necessarily and I think that’s what Mike Ashley finds hard to come to terms with.

“You can put £100million into it and it doesn’t necessarily fix it, which is where football is different. Mike has a problem coming to terms with that and maybe that’s why he’s taken a back step and let others do the football side of things.”

While getting the players is important, Moncur is convinced that Newcastle have got the right man, in ‘well respected’ McClaren, on board to work with them.

“I’m excited about the appointment,” Moncur said.

“Whoever we appointed, we were never going to get everyone saying he’s the right man but overall I think he’s a very good appointment.

“I think he understands the game, he’s been around a long time, he’s got a lot of contacts, he’s well respected.

“The one thing I do know is that around the people I’ve spoken to in football since this was mooted is that he’s an outstanding coach and that’s exactly what we need at the moment - to get the players playing.

“Of course it wil help - and it’s not easy, but the more good players you’ve got, the easier it is to coach.”