Premier League: Why wily Wijnaldum will walk on water at Newcastle

“When you go to £10m-plus – and there is a lot of speculation about that level of player at the moment – 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,” he continued.

“It is 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.

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

Prior to McClaren’s arrival at the club, a list of targets had apparently been drawn up and whether Wijnaldum was on there remains to be seen, though there is no doubt that he represents the quality that Newcastle’s incoming boss referred to.

“I looked at the plan and looked at the calibre of players and said ‘wow’,” he said. “We have expressed our objectives and put it on the line and now we have to fulfil that. That’s what Mike Ashley has done and he said ‘go on fulfil it’. So we have to get the right ones to improve this group.”

The signing of Wijnaldum is certainly somewhat of a coup, considering that the Magpies were almost relegated last season, though his presence should ensure that Newcastle won’t end up anywhere near there next term.

McClaren, meanwhile, is already thinking about the next couple of transfer windows, which suggests that he will have more funds to invest.

“We have talked a lot about the next three windows being huge, massive, for us. But let’s make sure we get the right ones,” McClaren said.

“If we get them, then in a year’s time – after the third window – we should have a damn good team and squad on a different level to where we are now. That is purely because we are looking at players above a certain bracket.”