Newcastle United may have only survived in the Barclays Premier League on the final day of last season - yet they are competing with Europe's elite clubs for spending this summer. In fact, according to figures in The Chronicle, only three clubs on the continent - Real Madrid, AC Milan and Manchester City - have spent a higher net figure than the Magpies on recruitment this summer, backing up Mike Ashley's end-of-season assurance that he would invest in the squad. For a club that has been defined over the past half-decade and more by Ashley's frugality, streamlining and seeming unwillingness to splash the cash, seeing Newcastle as fourth in the list of Europe's spenders during this window with a reported £47.7 million outlay is astonishing. Georginio Wijnaldum, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Florian Thauvin have all arrived for fees of more than £13 million, while Chancel Mbemba cost £8.5 million - and, even though the outlay on Ivan Toney was negligible for a top-flight club, it still counts - and Newcastle have not sold anyone yet (at least not for any money anyway). What's more, there are still suggestions that the Magpies could still spend further - with Monaco centre-back Aymen Abdennour reportedly top of their wanted list. By the time the transfer window shuts, will the Magpies still be in the uncharted territory of Europe's elite spenders? For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow WhatCulture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.