Newcastle United boss Steve McClaren happy to be patient over transfers

Newcastle have been locked in talks with PSV Eindhoven after tabling a £11.5million bid for Wijnaldum.

And the midfielder could yet sign in time for the club’s three-game visit to the USA.

Asked if he hoped to have a new face in his squad in time for the tour, head coach Steve McClaren said: “Yes, I hope so. That would be nice.”

McClaren yesterday met journalists for the first time since taking charge at St James’s Park, having only been allowed to speak to the club’s “preferred media partners” after his appointment.

Newcastle – who travel to the USA on Sunday – are yet to sign a player this summer.

United managing director Lee Charnley, tasked by owner Mike Ashley with “investing” in a squad which was found wanting last season, has been pursuing a number of targets.

But the only new faces in the side which takes on Gateshead at the International Stadium tonight (8pm kick-off) will be Jamaal Lascelles and Karl Darlow, who joined from Nottingham Forest a year ago but were loaned back to the Championship squad.

Asked if he was “frustrated”, McClaren said: “No, not in the least.

“We understand everybody saying ‘come on let’s keep the momentum going’, but let’s get the right ones.

“If it takes a little long, then sometimes the right ones take little bit of extra time.

“So, honestly no (I’m not frustrated). We’re not saying ‘come on, Lee’. I know everyone’s screaming we need this and that, but we need to get the right ones.

“We’re close. We are working very hard behind the scenes. When you buy players for £0-5million there are loads of them, and in that respect Newcastle would be top of the tree.

“And £5-10million (there are) still a lot of them, and we would be right up there competing with that group. There are a lot of players in that group.

“So when you go £10million-plus – and there is a lot of speculation about that level of player at the moment – and they are Europa League and Champions League players at top clubs, there aren’t so many players in that bracket, so the competition is higher.

“It’s more difficult to recognise their availability and get things done.

“The process is going and believe you me there is a massive willingness from the club to spend, but not spend foolishly or do anything foolishly, but especially spend foolishly.

“We are also looking for good value, but everyone in football is still looking for good value for money and talent – and that’s what we’re doing.