McClaren is understood to have held talks with managing director Lee Charnley and chief scout Graham Carr over the Magpies' summer recruitment drive.
QPR striker Charlie Austin is his number one target.
Newcastle will not abandon the European market - they are understood to have an interest in PSV Eindhoven midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum - but they are prepared to shop closer to home too, where targets often carry a premium they have not been prepared to accept in recent transfer windows.
However, it remains to be seen not only if McClaren and Carr can attract the players they want, but also if Charnley can do business at the right price.
Mike Ashley, who stepped down from the board on Wednesday, indicated his intention to invest more substantially in the squad in a surprise television interview on the final day of the season.
But not many supporters believe the man.
As always - players will be sold to pay for those who arrive.