Harvey Barnes, Moussa Diaby, James Maddison, Declan Rice and Victor Osimhen. It is safe to say Newcastle United will not be pulling any punches when it comes to the second phase of the rebuild, judging by the reported summer shortlist.
Expectations among the Toon Army over the scale of future spending has successfully been tempered after repeated notes of caution from Dan Ashworth, Eddie Howe and even co-owner Amanda Staveley. The narrative change is so clear that after fresh transfer reports emerged this week, the interest in Champions League-calibre stars for a side currently sat in the top four was met with disbelief by many.
The heavy defeat to Aston Villa along with the 'worst' performance this season could yet prove to have little to no impact on Newcastle's elite ambitions. Victory over Tottenham at St James' Park on Sunday would establish a six-point cushion and the advantage of a game in hand with just seven matches remaining.
