Manager Rafa Benitez has been given the go-ahead by owner Mike Ashley to splash the cash before the transfer window shuts to safeguard the club’s Premier League status.

News that Ashley is willing to fund his manager’s spending plans will be greeted with much scepticism by fans, more accustomed to Ashley keeping his hands firmly in his pockets.

But Benitez has managed to persuade the Toon owner of the urgency to spend big this month, even if it means equalling or even breaking the club’s transfer record.

That stands at £16m, the fee Newcastle shelled out for Michael Owen 13 years ago before Ashley took over the club – and Gameiro is valued by Atletico at a similar price.