NEWCASTLE UNITED hope an expensive summer transfer window provides a first sign of greater ambitions under the guidance of head coach Steve McClaren as the club drives to repair a fractured relationship with its fans.

The Magpies have revealed they have spent more than £50m on new signings for McClaren‘s first full season in charge and hammered home the point that silverware should be a target.

Winning a trophy was not viewed to be a priority during Alan Pardew’s tenure after club officials informed supporters that securing a top half finish in the Premier League was the main priority.

That was one of many moves from the club to have annoyed fans, but a change of head coach does appear to have led to a change of approach from inside the boardroom.

Newcastle’s followers will still be reluctant to give Mike Ashley, the Newcastle owner, their full backing until they have seen greater results and long-term improvements. The proactive moves from managing director Lee Charnley, though, could be a sign of things to come.

Charnley said: “This is the start not the end. It will take time and a number of (transfers) windows to get where we want to be. We are in a very strong financial position. To allow us to continue in this vein, we need to ensure that the club's finances remain just as healthy over the coming years.

“We ask that you (the fans) trust us in this process. We want our club to progress and be the best it can possibly be. We have set Steve a target of a top-eight finish and to win a trophy.

“Everyone at the club is driving hard towards that goal. However, all of this rebuilding and reshaping isn’t something that can happen overnight; it will take time.”

After landing Georginio Wijnaldum from PSV Eindhoven for £14.5m earlier in the summer, Newcastle have since added Aleksandar Mitrovic, Chancel Mbemba, Florian Thauvin to the first team squad, as well as brought in Northampton teenager Ivan Toney. Newcastle claim they have no wish to sell off their best players if it harms ambitions.

Charnley, stating in a email to supporters, said: “I know that conflicting reports from outside the club can make it hard to understand what we’ve spent in the window. I want to take this opportunity to confirm the net amount spent this summer is £52.6m, with £51.5m cash paid out.

“On top of the transfer spend our wage bill for the year to June 30, 2016 will increase by a minimum of just under £9m as a result of our activity during this transfer window.”

He added: “We’ll continue to spend on the squad moving forward and have no need or desire to sell our best players. We want the best young players available to us. We have brought in high-calibre players that will make an immediate impact.

“We want a squad that is strong defensively, combined with plenty of creativity, attacking intent and flair. We’re delighted with the players we’ve brought in, but we always knew that it would take more than one window to reshape and restructure.”

The openness is a new approach which Newcastle fans have hoped for. He added: “In recent years I know that some of you feel a divide has opened up between the club and the supporters.

“We accept responsibility for the things we have done, or not done, to contribute to this, but with Steve's arrival and a new season ahead of us, we have been presented with a real opportunity to make progress as a club together.

“Often our mistake has been that we’ve not communicated well enough with you and I assure you going forward, this is something we will do better. We are showing we have a desire to connect with you.”

Newcastle want to push a number of players out on loan over the next few months and one of those already away from Tyneside is desperate to prove himself.

Haris Vuckic, who joined Wigan on a season-long loan, has failed to fulfil his potential so far but feels his stint at the DW Stadium could shape his future.

Vuckic said: “In my mind what I want to do is play as much football while I am here. I need to prove myself to the manager and when I get the chance on the field do my maximum for the team. That’s so not just Wigan but all of the other clubs can see what I can do.”