Newcastle United have calmly moved on to the next phase of their recruitment in the summer transfer window after successfully bolstering their defensive rearguard.
Both Nick Pope and Sven Botman will hook up with their new team-mates this week while Matt Targett walks through the doors at Benton as a permanent signing after his £15million move from Aston Villa. The attention now swings to the final third for both sporting director Dan Ashworth and head coach Eddie Howe as they look to continue what has been an impressive and value for money summer spending spree so far.
Like Botman, one target that has never been crossed off the list this summer has been Bayer Leverkusen's France star Moussa Diaby. A huge fee of £60million was quoted at one stage this summer but the German side may be prepared to come down on his price. Another target has been Everton's Dominic Calvert-Lewin but it remains to be seen whether Everton budge on their £60million asking price.
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As they have proved already this summer, Newcastle won't pay over the odds and the market is beginning to demonstrate that clubs aren't prepared to be held to ransom on deals. Indeed, Arsenal's acquisition of Brazil star Gabriel Jesus at £45million has proved that not every fee for a Premier League striker has to be astronomical.
Everton's financial woes - with Richarlison already sold for £60million - may also mean that Calvert-Lewin eventually moves for less. Howe, though, certainly has options and is expected to use his loan options to help bolster the squad. Both Ashworth and Howe know that the squad will have to be trimmed down with 34 senior players expected back for the early stages of pre-season training. Decisions will need to be made on returning loanees such as Jeff Hendrick, Matty Longstaff and Kell Watts too.
