The summer transfer window has been open for a few weeks now, but as yet Newcastle United have made just one permanent signing. Matt Targett's switch from Aston Villa was confirmed earlier this month, but the Magpies are still looking to add serious quality to their squad.
Protracted deals to bring Sven Botman and Hugo Ekitike are still ongoing, while Eddie Howe and new sporting director Dan Ashworth will have a number of targets in mind before the season gets under way against Nottingham Forest in August.
Transfers dominate the conversations among Newcastle fans, of course, and with the Magpies' new financial clout, the rumour mill has also gone into overdrive. Our chief sports writer Lee Ryder held a Q&A with supporters to answer your questions on the latest developments.
READ MORE: Newcastle United 'final decision' nears on Dan Ashworth recruitment mission
Here's what you asked - and what Lee had to say.
Nathan Holmes: Hi Lee, any idea when the Ekitike and Botman deals will start progressing by sounds of it the club expect this week will be a big one ? Also do you think Ekitike will be the only striker we bring in or can you see us getting another one in as well?
LEE RYDER: Certainly on Ekitike the club are hopeful of finally getting face to face with the player and agent this week. I'm sure that if United had their way on Botman he'd be signed by now, but the lure of Milan isn't something he's given up easily. And I can understand that given Milan's status (Champs League, San Siro nights etc). As for another striker, if we see Dwight Gayle depart then it's feasible to see Eddie bringing in a more senior centre-forward as back-up to go with Wilson and Ekitike.
Welshy1410: Is Diaby a genuine target this summer?
LR: Moussa Diaby is certainly a target, a player that Howe and his backroom team definitely like and somebody who has been looked at closely by NUFC scouts on Bundesliga trips. Issue is, Newcastle being quoted an astronomical fee for the player, close to £50million as per some reports. That said with 17 goals and 14 assists for Bayer Leverkusen it's no wonder the German side are demanding so much. He's still under contract until 2025 and that asking price could rise even more. At 22, £50m could even seem a bargain given he's a fully-fledged France international.
Paqueraes: Is it true that NUFC tried to hijack Aguerd?
LR: Nayef Aguerd is certainly a player Newcastle have on their database. You could probably go back as far as the Graham Carr era when some of those reports on the player started as a youngster. As far as this summer is concerned though Eddie Howe and his board have made it clear that Sven Botman is their No 1 choice. Like Botman Aguerd is left-footed and while he may have been an option in the event of Botman not going through, the bid for the Dutchman is still very much active at this moment in time. It means West Ham were confident of getting this particular deal done.
Aidanw1995: Are we looking at bringing in a holding midfielder this window, is their any names being mentioned if so?
LR: Eddie Howe was clear about one thing at the end of last season when he sat down with the media before going on holiday. He said then that he would not rule in or rule out any specific positions because if a deal came up that could improve Newcastle the club would take it. You could use Bruno Guimaraes as an example of that last January. Nobody thought that would be a winter deal. Notably, despite many believing that Bruno had arrived as a holding midfielder then, he has probably surprised even Howe and the backroom team by the fact he is a more attacking threat. Which takes us nicely back to your question on bringing in a holding midfielder. I think if the star quality is there on certain players and they become available it can't be ruled out. Kalvin Phillips is certainly a player they have looked at. Had Leeds gone down, I think that would have been stepped up but it would have been a huge fee for the England star.
lukeryan2008: Will we look again at Lingard? Will his demands lower? Seems a sensible transfer if we can find a compromise?
LR: Eddie Howe did something very unusual by his standards after the January window last year. He actually admitted he wanted Lingard publicly when I asked him at a Press conference. Since then, Lingard and his people have been testing the market. I was told in early May he wanted £200,000 per week and that's currently above the wage structure Newcastle have sensibly put in place. The thinking is that Howe doesn't want any huge gaps on salary with some players not even earning half of that on the books. Will they go back? It's still possible but he'd have to be more realistic in his demands.
Paqueraes: What's the future for Chris Wood?
LR: His immediate future is here. If Newcastle can get the service right for him he can still be a part of things next season.
Aidanw1995: Do you think the club will go for two centre halves this window, also on the goalkeeper front are we looking at going for a keeper that can distribute the ball better and and quicker?
LR: Certainly, they will go for at least one senior centre-back and then it will be what happens in the aftermath of that. Jamaal Lascelles for example is wanted by Fulham and Nottingham Forest, if he goes would another centre-back be brought in. A younger defender who won't demand game-time is a possibility. Dubravka remains number 1 but somebody who will push him even more is likely, hence the Nick Pope interest.
Elvis56: Is Dominic Calvert-Lewin someone they like?
LR: It's a name that has been put to them and when fit, he is very capable in the Premier League. I think Everton will put up a fight to stop him leaving. He didn't play masses of football last season with a toe injury and Newcastle have a very good number 9 already in Callum Wilson. One to keep an eye though.
TheDaz: Don’t you think that we should be putting as much effort into signing an attacking wing forward type player as we are a striker? Football is not as much about having a 20 goal a season striker anymore…
LR: It's a good question. Moussa Diaby is certainly somebody who fits the bill based on your question, he gets goals and makes them too. If you were able to land a player of that quality it would certainly help spread the goals around the team - something Eddie Howe has been eager to do since he got here.
Conkers: Is Christian Eriksen a genuine target, or just "paper talk"?
LR: Newcastle could have signed Eriksen in January but opted against it. United chiefs stayed silent on this name when it was put to them whereas there has been guidance on other names, such as Dean Henderson. Read into that what you will. Danish journalists are suggesting Old Trafford could be his next destination.
Yaqub: Hi Lee, how many signings do you reckon we’ll bring in? Furthermore do you think any will be on a Bruno level signing?
LR: It's always difficult to put a tally on signings but I still think at least four more senior signings. Possibly more if other departures happen. There are players on the list of Bruno's ilk but it is a matter of time and priorities.
Tellalieitwashim: Hi Lee, do you believe that Newcastle need two players for every position which would mean a lot signings or do you believe that it will just be a few upgrades here and there?
LR: Every great squad has at least two competitors for each slot. I think Newcastle would like to get there one day but it will take more than two windows. So in answer to your question, it is upgrades in a number of positions. That said there are still players on the book that will believe they deserve another chance or pre-season audition. Jamal Lewis is a superb example of this. I'd be surprised if he wasn't afforded a chance given Newcastle fought for him with Liverpool and won not so long ago.
