Newcastle United transfer budget rumours labelled as 'pathetic' as ex-West Ham star makes bold Leeds United claim

The Magpies head coach is set to be handed a reduced budget as he looks to bolster his squad, with some reports suggesting it is between £10million to £12m.

Indeed, £6m of that could go towards landing Celtic defender Kristoffer Ajer amid claims he is closing in on a move to St James’s Park.

Mike Ashley is continuing his legal war with the Premier League over the proposed Amanda Staveley-brokered takeover, while the Covid-19 pandemic has also hurt the club’s finances.

But with funds still to arrive via EPL prize money, Mills has hit out at the budget rumours.

He told Football Insider: “£10million is pocket change in Premier League terms, it’s pathetic almost.

“Basically they’re saying ‘Here’s the same squad.’ That’s what it will be. Simple as that. There will not be much more than that.

“But they can stay up because Steve Bruce is a really good manager. He’s just not getting any help.”

Meanwhile, former England international Trevor Sinclair believes Leeds United are a bigger club than Newcastle.

The Whites, after ending their 16-year absence from the Premier League, finished above Steve Bruce’s side last term.

Sinclair, 48, was asked the question on talkSPORT and said “I think historically you would say Leeds. I think they have had a fantastic season.

"You just look at them in the 60s what they achieved as a football club, you would say Leeds, but Newcastle are a huge football club in their own right.”

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