RAFAEL BENITEZ claims Newcastle United’s summer signing spree is far from over despite the addition of six new signings.

Benitez watched his side continue their pre-season preparations with a resounding 4-0 win over Belgian team Sporting Lokeren on Saturday, but while Grant Hanley became the sixth player to move to Tyneside this summer when he completed a £5.5m switch from Blackburn at the end of last week, he is unlikely to be the last addition before the transfer window closes.

Newcastle continue to pursue another attacker, with Sheffield United youngster Che Adams the latest player to be linked at the weekend, while Benitez is also keen to bring in another left-back, having been forced to play Vurnon Anita in the position in a number of friendlies.

“We are working, and trying to improve the squad,” said the Newcastle boss, who has made a number of inquiries about Fulham striker Ross McCormack in the last few weeks.

“It is not easy now, and the market is quite crazy. There are crazy prices everywhere, but we will try to do our best.”

While Newcastle have shelled out around £36m on their additions this summer, they have already recouped more than £40m from the sales of Andros Townsend, Papiss Cisse and Georginio Wijnaldum.

Moussa Sissoko could bring in another £35m if he leaves in the next five weeks, with Real Madrid having joined Juventus, Liverpool and Everton on a lengthening list of suitors, and there continue to be question marks over the futures of Tim Krul, Daryl Janmaat, Cheick Tiote and Siem de Jong.

Benitez continues to publicly insist he does not want to lose Sissoko, but with the Frenchman not due to start pre-season training until August 1, there is still a chance he will not be seen on Tyneside again.

“We have a good squad and a lot of speculation, and we can’t control that,” said Benitez. “We must continue doing our jobs and if somebody comes with the right offer, we have to listen. But it does not mean we have to sell.

“We will try to keep a strong squad with the same ideas. Some players may be waiting for a big offer from a top side in the Premier League or in Europe, but if they have to stay then they have to stay – that’s it.”

Ayoze Perez was the star of the show in Newcastle’s weekend win, although there was a sour note at the end of the 4-0 victory as summer signing Jesus Gamez was sent off.

Perez opened the scoring in the 13th minute, exchanging passes with Rolando Aarons before drilling home at the front post, and Janmaat, who played on the right of midfield rather than in the back four, doubled Newcastle’s advantage when he headed home Perez’s free-kick.

Perez claimed his second goal shortly before the interval, lashing home after Dwight Gayle’s initial effort was blocked, and Jonjo Shelvey added a fourth goal with a deflected shot three minutes after the break.

That was that in terms of the scoring, but Gamez was dismissed along with Lokeren’s Marco Miric after the pair tangled with two minutes left. The Spaniard should be available for Newcastle’s opening Championship game at Fulham, but could have to sit out tomorrow’s friendly at Southend.

Newcastle: Sels (Darlow 72); Sterry (Thauvin 62), Mbemba (Saivet 72), Lascelles (Dummett 62), Anita (Gamez 46); Colback (Tiote 72), Hayden (Shelvey 46); Janmaat, Perez (Mitrovic 46), Aarons (Gouffran 62); Gayle (Armstrong 62).