NUFC Must Spend At Least £100m Claims Rob Lee

Newcastle United legend Rob Lee claims the club have slipped so far behind their Premier League competitors that they must spend "at least" £100 million this summer in order to catch up. The 49-year-old also believes Alan Pardew saw the Magpies' relegation battle "coming" - and that's why he departed for Crystal Palace at the turn of the year. A massive squad overhaul is expected at St James' Park if the club manages to secure their top-flight future - with players departing and others arriving. John Carver's men have lost seven Premier League matches in a row for the first time in the club's history and sit just five points above the relegation zone. But former Magpies midfielder Lee, who scored 56 goals in 379 appearances during 10 seasons on Tyneside, does not think the sort of money spent by the club last summer will be anywhere near enough to compete - and thinks anything short of £100 million will see them fighting relegation again next season.

The former England international, who won 21 caps, told The Chronicle:

"I think he (Pardew) saw what was coming, I really do. He knew it was going to get worse. It was a steady decline at Newcastle and he knew it wasn't going to get any better. "Even now if Mike Ashley has a change of tune he would have to spend £10 million just to get you back up to mid-table. It's a lot of money. "Spending £20 million will mean the club will just stand still. It's a huge investment to spend £100 million but that's what is needed to spend on the playing staff - at least."

Eight Newcastle players - including Jonas Gutierrez, Sammy Ameobi and Ryan Taylor - will see their contracts expire at the end of the season, while others such as Moussa Sissoko and Tim Krul have been linked with moves away from the club. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow WhatCultureNUFC on Twitter and Facebook.