Newcastle United fans in the Transfer Tavern will be hoping that Mike Ashley loosens the purse strings and adds some real quality to the squad. 

The Toon finished tenth in the League in what was only their second season since being promoted. Back in the Premier League and with a top quality manager, Newcastle need to build on last year and signing some quality players this summer is essential. Although this might seem ludicrous to the Toon faithful, Rafael Benitez should be looking at Real Madrid's wantaway midfielder, Mateo Kovacic.

Recently the Magpies have been linked with a move for Aston Villa's Jack Grealish, which be a good signing in itself but if Benitez wants to take Newcastle into Europe, an ambitious bid for Mateo Kovacic is the one to make.

The Croatian midfielder is currently away at the World Cup, revealed last month that he wanted to leave (as per Marca) the Real Madrid in search for more first-team football.

Although he has largely been a bit part player for the Champions League winners, Kovacic is still a top player and would surely attract interest from all the top clubs in Europe.

Kovacic has the rare ability to be able to pick the ball up from deep and drive forward. He's also technical enough to link up the play from deep and also, when needed, he has the capability to play in a deeper more defensive role which he did superbly for Madrid at times.

Rated at £27 million by Transfermarkt, it would probably take a bid closer to £40 million to secure his services but with the player keen to leave, with the allure of the Premier League, it's a move that's not completely out of the question. After all, Benitez was the man who brought him to the Spanish capital in the first place!

Would you be happy with this Newcastle fans?