Newcastle won't break their wage structure to sign big-money stars like Declan Rice and Mason Mount

Newcastle United will not shatter their wage structure in pursuit of stars like Declan Rice and Mason Mount, even if they qualify for the Champions League.

Mail Sport understands that an enquiry has been made for Chelsea midfielder Mount but that the numbers involved are prohibitive because of Financial Fair Play and a will to protect their current salary model, which sees top earners such as Bruno Guimaraes command around £120,000 per week before bonuses.

An asking price of £80million and weekly wages of at least £250,000 have been quoted for Mount. There is also a definite interest in West Ham’s Rice, but the figures are similar to those of his England team-mate. We have been told that would make a Newcastle move ‘unrealistic’ at this stage, especially as the latest set of accounts showed an unsustainable wages-to-turnover ratio of 95 per cent.

Sources do say there will be a ‘huge’ increase in the club’s transfer budget if they secure Champions League football and they recognise the need to invest that money in the squad. That would make for an exciting summer on Tyneside.

The problem, however, is that the extra revenue cannot be committed to vastly inflated wages over a long period at the risk of spending only one season in Europe’s premier competition. Senior figures are also mindful of the knock-on effect that doubling the top wage would have on others in the dressing-room.

While head coach Eddie Howe - as well as the club’s hierarchy - would love to pursue the likes of Mount and Rice given their elite-level ability and good character, sources are keen to stress that the success of their recruitment strategy so far has been built on identifying value, as opposed to paying premium prices for proven Premier League players.

The club believe they have saved themselves tens of millions by securing deals for Guimaraes (£36m) and Sven Botman (£32m) from the continent, while England internationals Kieran Trippier (£12m) and Nick Pope (£10m) have proven to be bargain buys.

Howe is likely to push the Saudi-backed owners in the hope of landing the best players available, but he, too, is determined to protect the spirit upon which the team’s rise has been built. A gradual increase in the level of wages is said to be key.

A list of targets in the eventuality of finishing in the top four is being drawn, with intermediaries alerted to the club being in the market for a left-back, right-sided centre-back, holding midfielder, No.8 and right-winger. A young back-up goalkeeper and young striker are also wanted.

Leicester’s James Maddison remains on the list, even though the noises coming back in recent months have been of the midfielder preferring a move to London amid interest from Tottenham.

One name to re-emerge in conversations of late has been that of Khephren Thuram, the Nice and France midfielder. Chelsea and Liverpool have also been watching the 22-year-old.

Meanwhile, Manchester United’s Scott McTominay has long been admired by Howe, but the club have a cap on his valuation, should their top-four rivals demand an unrealistic fee. Bournemouth’s Philip Billing could become a squad option at a reasonable price, especially if the Cherries are relegated.