Newcastle United now know they will be facing Aston Villa in their Premier League opener on August 12 - and the TV cameras will be there too. The Magpies proved to be box office in recent months and next term promises to bring more of the same in terms of global attention.
Such a meteoric rise in such a short space of time has allowed Eddie Howe extra leeway in the transfer market this summer. While there is no Manchester City-esque budget at his disposal, the Toon boss, along with Dan Ashworth, can sell the dream to elite players from across Europe as to why they should take the plunge and a move to Tyneside.
With that being said, Howe's starting XI at St James' Park in August may have a few new additions added. The Newcastle chief is targeting 'elite' talent that will improve the first-team dressing room.
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A left-back is high on the agenda, with Chronicle Live understanding confidence remains high over a move for Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney. Last summer saw interest in Renan Lodi, a Brazilian full-back who spent last season with Nottingham Forest.
Dan Burn has excelled since being shifted out from his natural role of centre-back but emphasis is on finding a defender who can offer more going forward.
The rest of Howe's back five will likely stay the same, with Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schar, Sven Botman and Nick Pope expected to retain their starting roles. However, the Magpies are on the hunt for extra cover at centre-back.
Midfield is where it begins to get interesting. Newcastle are desperate for added cover in the middle of the park and it would be no surprise to see a new starting addition feature in the first game against Villa.
Nicolo Barella is the latest player to be linked in that position, although Inter Milan have downplayed talk of an imminent exit. Khephren Thuram, Ruben Neves, Amadou Haidara and Romeo Lavia have all also been thrown into the mix in recent weeks.
A new arrival in the No 6 or No 8 role means one of Howe's trusted midfield warriors will, potentially temporarily, lose their starting position. Joe Willock, Sean Longstaff, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton have all excelled under Howe's leadership and could each feel aggrieved at being dislodged.
This is the downside of a successful side that continues to evolve and strengthen, solid options will be left to fight for their place in the spotlight. The same will be said about the attacking spots as a handful of options vie for a limited number of roles.
Anthony Gordon, Miguel Almiron, Elliot Anderson, Anthony Gordon, Jacob Murphy and Allan Saint-Maximin could all realistically be in with a shout of starting out wide against Aston Villa should they all stay put. Saint-Maximin is the only one of the aforementioned sextet that has question marks surrounding his immediate Tyneside future.
Though it isn't a priority at this stage of the window, Newcastle are keen to add firepower to their ranks. James Maddison could fill in out wide, as well as in the middle, which would further Howe's headache.
Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson will continue to tussle for the solitary starting slot in Howe's system, although a third-choice striker may arrive to bolster the boss' attacking options.
While a lot is up in the air at present, one thing is for certain. Howe's first XI of the new Premier League campaign promises to be different to the impressive group that finished last season such is the exciting recruitment drive happening at St James' Park.
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