Newcastle United were still sat in the relegation zone when Eddie Howe and his staff held some serious but relatively relaxed meetings with Yasir Al-Rumayyan in the plush and air-conditioned business rooms of a PIF complex in Jeddah back in January.
United had boarded a flight to the Middle East in January straight after a hard-earned but vital 1-0 win at Leeds with Howe summing up the stance within the club on his way out of Elland Road, saying: "We have belief that we're not dead and buried and there's more to come."
HAVE YOUR SAY: Take part in our Big Newcastle survey as year anniversary of PIF takeover nears
Howe was bang on the money but knew that further signings would be required to help steer Newcastle to safer waters. With Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood already signed, three more additions arrived in the shape of Matt Targett, Dan Burn and the significant game changer for Newcastle - the £40million acquisition of Bruno Guimaraes.
Persuading a player that was being courted by Juventus and Real Madrid and convincing him to join a club threatened by relegation rather than playing Champions League football in 2022 was a huge moment for the new owners. Bruno and his representatives were told that the vision for the Saudi-backed Magpies was to rise to the very top and he echoed this when he spoke about Newcastle, a club that had withheld transfer funds for almost a decade, and said they could become: "A global force."
The Bruno deal was a big milestone for Newcastle's owners but no more than a promise delivered by Mr Al-Rumayyan himself a day after the takeover went through on a glorious autumn day in October 2021. Back then he pledged: "You can expect ambition".
And so he has been proved right. The Trippier deal was also eye catching as Newcastle fought of competition from Manchester United and Chelsea to land the England full-back.
Now 32, the mere idea of Newcastle signing Trippier under Ashley would have been laughed off because under the old policy, he would not have any resale value when his existing deal expires later into his 30s. But that philosophy is missing the point entirely.
Trippier has been an amazing signing and after laying the foundations for survival last term with goals, leadership and organisation, he has proved to be the perfect skipper in the first half of the campaign. Trippier sets the standards and the rest of the dressing room adheres to them.
The bulk of United's £200million spend includes £63million Alexander Isak a player that Real Sociedad demanded top dollar for in the summer. Even without clicking into first gear, he has two goals to his name and there is a promise of many more.
The chase for Sven Botman also proved that Newcastle may not be on the same Champions League playing field as AC Milan right now, but off it they can compete with some of the most illustrious names in the world game. And after a £34million move for the 22-year-old you can already start to see the team of today and tomorrow taking shape at St James'.
Trippier isn't the only established England international to see Newcastle as a good fit with Nick Pope turning down interest from around the Premier League to sign. Where United go next in the transfer market is intriguing.
January additions will depend on what is needed. If Newcastle need extra funding to simply cement a top 10 place that's possible.
But if they need a top up to push and seal the club's first European place for a decade it will be available. Steve Nickson and his scouts are already trawling Europe and South America looking for talent, but nothing is off the table. The ambition we were told to expect is there for all to see as Newcastle look to climb the Premier League table.
READ NEXT
Test your knowledge of Newcastle United's first year under new ownership
- Eddie Howe's red card verdict as Newcastle boss feared for Sean Longstaff
- Eddie Howe delighted with Newcastle United 'attitude' as Magpies 'wanted it more' at Fulham
- Almiron's best this term, Longstaff dominates, NUFC player ratings
- Match report: Dominant United up to seventh after four-star display
