Rob Lee has pointed to Newcastle United's £250m spending decision last summer as the reason why the Magpies are sweating on being in Europe next season.

After the sale of Alexander Isak, Newcastle spent £55m on Yoane Wissa and £69m on Nick Woltemade but the legendary former skipper feels that there was an element of panic buying after the Sweden star went to Liverpool. The ex-England star does not believe that the massive spending spree has not improved Eddie Howe's team.

A glance at the Premier League table, with United in 12th place, backs up Lee's theory with the likes of Anthony Elanga and Jacob Ramsey also finding it difficult to adjust to their new club after moves from Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa.

Lee told the brilliant Adopted Geordies podcast: "The way I look at it, since we won the cup, have the new signings improved the team? Elanga, Woltemade, Wissa, Ramsey. Have they made us a better team? No - so those signings so far are not successful signings.

"The last few games he (Ramsey) has been better but we are in March...