Geordie great Chris Waddle expects Newcastle United to soon be shopping at the top shelf.

With their Saudi backers well and truly settled, Newcastle are yet to unleash the full potential of their spending power. Though as Waddle, who first made his name with the Magpies, points out, the Toon have still been among the biggest spenders in the Premier League in 2022.

The former Tottenham and Olympique Marseille star expects management to soon be switching their sights to another class of player as they build a team capable of winning the game's biggest trophies.

Speaking to Tribalfootball.com on behalf of FreeSuperTips, Waddle declared: "They're the biggest spenders in the last year or so if you think about it.

"Manchester City have bought players, but they've sold some as well to make up that money.

"Newcastle have thrown a bit of money at it and bought in quite a few players like (Alexander) Isak.

"(Sven) Botman wasn't a cheap signing, so there's a lot of players who they brought in for not the smallest fees, but they've all done very well.

"That has got to be the goal for Newcastle United, to be up there with the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool."

To challenge the established for titles, Waddle expects some exciting names to soon be walking through the gates at St James' Park.

He continued: "Everyone keeps talking about the money the owners have and the ambition of the club has got to be that they want to challenge these teams.

"They should want to win a Premier League, an FA Cup, League Cup and even the Champions League.

"That has got to be the goal, it's pointless coming in as one of the richest clubs in the world and accepting 4th every season. "There's no sense in it, their goal is to strive to get better and better and become a team where everybody reckons, they have a chance in these competitions.

"They've got to start winning silverware at some point, it might be a bit early right now but with the way they're going that process could speed up.

"Next season you've got to say they've got to be top four and challenging for trophies."