Benitez: Buying a top striker will cost us

Although the 'Magpies' have secured their Premier League status, there was one point when the North East club was flirting dangerously with relegation.

One area Benitez has identified as a potential cause is the team's lack of goals. Ayoze Perez is their highest scorer yet has only managed six in the league this season.

Speaking ahead of Newcastle's game against Tottenham, the Spaniard admitted: "If you want to bring a striker with a guarantee of more than 10-15 goals per season, you have to pay money for him for sure."

Asked if that would cost the club more than the £16million they paid Real Madrid for Michael Owen in 2005, Benitez replied: "In this market, yes."

He added: "I have been unlucky because normally I like to coach players, to improve players, and that means sometimes that the owners don't spend too much.

"I was always concerned and taking care of the numbers. I was learning in England to work with a business plan - you have to have a realistic business plan and then if you know that, you have to work on that.

"Does that mean you have to break the record? If it is necessary, you can do it. But if it's not necessary, it's just to be sure you have the funds to compete."