Once again, there has been a lack of spending at St. James Park this summer.

Goalkeeper Martin Dubravka has joined the club for £4m, but apart from that, it has been the all too familiar free transfers and loan deals signing at St James Park. Rafa Benitez has added Kenedy on a season-long loan, and South Korean and ex-Swansea City player Ki Sung-yeung.

The Spanish manager worked wonders on Tyneside last season to deliver a 10th placed finish. However, if Mike Ashley does not back him in the transfer window, he has a serious task on his hands to repeat that feat next season on a shoestring budget.

Rafa Benitez needs to look at the free transfer market and make clever additions if he is to deliver another top half finish in the North East. In particular, the forward line needs strengthening.

With that in mind, here are two free transfers which would transform the Newcastle attack...

The Uruguayan is available on a free and would surely be worth a punt from the Tynesiders.

Abel Hernandez is a strong player who can bring others in to play as well as score. With lightweight strikers currently at the club such as Ayoze Perez and Dwight Gayle, the Uruguayan might be the perfect man to play alongside them in a front two.

Hernandez has a very impressive goalscoring record in England, netting 20 League goals in a single season for Hull City.

Mike Ashley should meet his wage demands and bring him to St James Park, he has the ability to transform the forward line.

Signing free agent Lacina Traore would be a good piece of business from the Magpies.

The Ivorian is among the tallest professional footballers in the world.

The giant 6ft 8 striker would add a new element to the Newcastle attack simply from his size. Historically, Traore has been prolific in the Russian top flight, although he has been frozen out at Monaco for the last few seasons, and has now left the club.

His strength and aerial ability would worry any Premier League defence and he is available on a free.