Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe is understood to want at least three more summer signings through the door at Benton before the transfer window shuts for business.
With Sandro Tonali already an impressive addition to his squad, Howe's midfield options are looking extremely impressive with two stars fighting for a possible three positions if we are to see a continuation of 4-3-3 under the head coach. Tonali will be in the mix with Sean Longstaff, Joelinton, Joe Willock, Bruno Guimaraes and not forgetting Elliot Anderson next season in the engine room.
Of course, Anderson can fill one of the more attacking roles to further up the pitch but that is one of a few duel options for the Toon boss. Howe stated one thing clearly at the end of last season and that was he was eyeing "two XIs" or to put it another way at least two players fighting for each slot.
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At right-back Howe currently has a host of options to battle with Kieran Trippier with Emil Krafth, Harrison Ashby and Javier Manquillo all involved. You'd argue at least one of the fringe players will be sold or loaned out before the window shuts.
At left-back things are slightly thinner on the ground with Matt Targett and Dan Burn battling away but Matt Ritchie can drop into either full-back or wing-back position in an emergency. But you can understand any argument for bringing in another left-back given that Burn and Ritchie are hardly bona fide contenders in that area.
If there is an area of intrigue it is the centre-back department. And it is one that could see a significant departure if Howe does sign a new star in that area.
Both Fabian Schar and Sven Botman made those positions their own last term but few predicted that last pre-season. Back in Austria for the July boot camp, the schedule started with a debate on who would partner Botman.
It ended with Schar the clear winner, Jamaal Lascelles left to fight for his place and Dan Burn ending up making a season of it at left-back with some success at the expense of Targett. This summer Schar and Botman will return as favourites but Newcastle have been in the market for a right-sided centre-back and Lascelles is still part of the squad.
Both Lascelles and Burn can apply pressure to the two central positions so Howe pretty much has his wish in some ways. The front three is interesting too with Allan Saint-Maximin back for pre-season despite a summer of speculation and exit talk.
Miguel Almiron, Allan Saint-Maximin, and Anthony Gordon will challenge the wing positions along with Alexander Isak, Jacob Murphy, Anderson and Ritchie. Isak can play through the middle and he and Callum Wilson represent the only recognised central strikers at the club from a senior point of view.
That could well change in the next few weeks but Howe is still not quite there in terms of having a couple of competitors for each shirt. It's certainly the end game for the Newcastle boss and Tonali seems to be merely the first step in the right direction.
