NEWCASTLE boss Rafael Benitez has admitted his frustration over the "crazy" summer transfer market.
The 57-year-old Spaniard had hoped to have much of his recruitment complete before the players returned for pre-season training last week.
However, only Chelsea winger Christian Atsu and Eibar defender Florian Lejeune have arrived at St James' Park to date and the club's fans are growing increasingly impatient having heard owner Mike Ashley promise his manager "every penny the cub generates" from promotion and players sales to rebuild.
Speaking at the club's 1892 Foundation Cup event, Benitez said: "It's not easy for a lot of teams because the market is a little bit crazy. We have to try to do our best.
"The top sides have a lot of money. The other teams are spending too, but we will see what we can do."
Benitez's plans have not been helped by the inflated prices which have been paid out already - Everton have committed £30million apiece on Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and Burnley defender Michael Keane, while Leicester handed over £17million for Hull's Harry Maguire.
The Magpies have been working their way through a list of targets and having missed out Manchester City keeper Willy Caballero and Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham, have so far made little progress with Norwich winger Jacob Murphy, Middlesbrough's Adama Traore or former Man City midfielder Jesus Navas.
Benitez said: "We know where we are - that is not ideal because everybody wants to see a lot of players signing already, but we have to keep working and see what we can do.
"We can do nothing other than just keep working to find the players that we want, and hopefully we can do it."
Meanwhile,
Bayern Munich have signed James Rodriguez from Real Madrid on a two-year loan deal, the Bundesliga champions have announced.
Bayern, managed by former Real boss Carlo Ancelotti, will have the option to buy the Colombia international in 2019.
Ancelotti worked with Rodriguez during what was probably his most productive season at the Bernabeu - his debut campaign in 2014-15 - and he will hope to get the best out of the 25-year-old once more.
Rodriguez had fallen out of favour at the Bernabeu to such an extent that he was left out of their squad for the Champions League final in June.
A statement on Bayern's official website read: "FC Bayern Munich and Real Madrid have agreed on the transfer of Colombian national player James Rodriguez to the German champions on Tuesday.
"The two clubs agreed on a two-year loan deal until June 30, 2019 with a following purchase option for FC Bayern Munich.
"James Rodriguez will sign his contract in Munich after successfully completing the compulsory medical check."
Chelsea and Manchester United had been linked with a move for Rodriguez this summer but it had been reported that Real were asking for around £70million for the player.
Rodriguez is set to link up with the Bayern squad immediately and travel with his new team-mates on the club's tour of China and Singapore.