RAFAEL BENITEZ has further signings lined up for Newcastle United this summer – even if it means having to boost his spending power by moving on other players.

Benitez was all smiles at the club’s academy training ground yesterday when he watched local school children play in the inaugural Newcastle United Foundation 1892 Cup.

He was then on hand – along with Paul Dummett, Vurnon Anita, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Jamaal Lascelles – to present trophies and medals after an event which was his own brainchild to help reconnect the club with the area.

Benitez was keen to mix with supporters and the youngsters at a time when he is putting his own players through the early stages of pre-season training and he has already made progress on the transfer front.

Newcastle have invested more than £25m on Dwight Gayle, Matt Ritchie and Matz Sels and has now turned his attention to improving the defence.

But Benitez, who should see skipper Fabricio Coloccini leave for San Lorenzo in Argentina this week, accepts he can’t keep signing players without selling a couple too.

Dutch midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum and French midfielder Moussa Sissoko are two of the most likely candidates to depart. It has emerged that Dutch forward Siem de Jong is also interesting Turkish club Fenerbahce.

Benitez said: “We were working to get some players ready, and then we did three in a row. We are still working. We have some players there (and) ready.

"The difficult thing about the market is that you have to buy and you have to sell.

"So that depends on if you receive offers for players that maybe we consider that they can leave, and after, also, try to find the right players for us.”

Middlesbrough defender Daniel Ayala and Queens Park Rangers’ Steven Caulker are two of those he is known to be interested in, as well as former Liverpool and Real Madrid player Alvaro Arbeloa.

He is attempting to put a squad together capable of securing promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt and he is extremely satisfied with his first bits of transfer business as Newcastle boss.

The Magpies made a real statement to the rest of the Championship on Friday when they completed the signings of Gayle and Ritchie for a combined £22m from Crystal Palace and Bournemouth respectively. Both have experience of the second tier and the top-flight.

Benitez said: "It was important for me that we could bring in players that could understand English football.

"The Championship is quite difficult. They understand what it means to play here and the physicality and intensity of the game.

"With him (Gayle), it's the pace, movement and finishing he can give to us. I think we have a good addition. He can increase the competition.

"Ritchie is another player that knows the division. He has energy and quality."

Benitez is keen to ensure Newcastle as a club continue to build on the feelgood factor around the place following his decision to stay on despite relegation.

And he explained his reasons for pushing for yesterday’s Foundation event at the academy to take place for eight primary schools from around Tyneside.

Benitez said: "We thought it would be a good idea to put football and the Foundation together and bring the kids and the families here. Everything has been really good. We also strengthened the link between the club and the city and the fans. It was very positive for everyone.”