Newcastle United will need to be realistic with their transfer targets as the influx of wealth from a takeover would not immediately attract the "real big hitters".
That's the view of former Magpies midfielder Lee Clark, who believes the club will have to recruit sensibly in the beginning to secure European football.
The proposed takover of United has moved a step closer with the Premier League currently assessing the credentials of the potential new chairman.
A deal has not yet been announced, but that has not stopped fans and pundits speculating on who United could target in the upcoming transfer window.
Some of the world's leading footballers have been tipped to make a surprise move to St James' Park, with the takeover set to make United one of the wealthiest clubs in world football.
But despite this potential new status, Clark believes his former club will still require Champions League football before they can dare to dream of landing the biggest names in the sport.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Clark said: “When Man City got taken over they were in a similar sort of position as Newcastle – down the bottom end of the league.
“So you have to get the next group of players to get into Europe.
“Even though the finances will be there to attract the top players it won’t be possible because they will want to play Champions League football – so they will have to target the next level of players to get you up the Premier League.
“Once they’ve done that they can get the real big hitters.“
BBC Sport pundit Micah Richards previously suggested the current United squad will be scared for their own places, but Clark believes there is already quality at the Magpies' disposal.
He added: "We need to go young talent and older players. You go for both.
“But there’s some quality players there already and they just need a bit of help.
“When you’re at a football club and you see top players come in, it improves you and it becomes easier playing with better players.”
