EDDIE HOWE is finally set to be named Newcastle boss following the blockbuster Saudi takeover on Tyneside.
SunSport revealed the ex-Bournemouth manager is on his way to St James’ Park to put pen to paper on a new deal.
And he will be handed a transfer war chest the likes of which the club nor their new manager has ever seen before.
Reinforcements are almost certain to arrive in January as the Magpies scramble to escape the drop and aspire to European football.
Shortlisted names so far include out-of-favour Premier League talent, World Cup-winning veterans, and ex-Cherries stars Howe knows well.
Here are five transfer targets for the new man in the Toon hot seat.
Jesse Lingard is known to want first-team football as he bids to make Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Qatar 2022.
But the Manchester United playmaker isn’t finding that while sat on the bench at Old Trafford.
FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
Last season’s successful loan spell at West Ham showed what he can do when given a regular run of games.
The 28-year-old would bring Premier League quality to St James’ Park for around £20million – certainly affordable for the mega-rich Magpies.
Another Man United midfielder in the mix is the lonely figure of Donny van de Beek.
The ex-Ajax talent is wasting away while he struggles to gain any sort of foothold under boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
He moved to Old Trafford in a £39m deal back in September 2020 but is unlikely to command a similar fee these days.
The 24-year-old is desperate for game time and would surely be tempted to put his nightmare year behind him.
Could one of world football’s most decorated stars be persuaded to swap sunny Madrid for England’s north east?
Toni Kroos has won it all at club and international level – including the 2014 World Cup with Germany.
The 31-year-old is under contract at Real Madrid until 2023 and says he wants to end his playing days with the La Liga giants.
But with Saudi riches now flowing around St James’ Park, the midfielder could yet be persuaded to take on a new Premier League challenge.
Bayern Munich star Niklas Sule is looking a likelier target than his compatriot Kroos.
Toon officials are already reported to be in contact with the defender, who is said to be ‘interested in the project’ on Tyneside.
The 26-year-old has been linked with other Prem giants – Chelsea failed to sign him during the summer.
And standing 6ft 5in tall with a solid figure, centre-back Sule would add steel to a defence that has already shipped 24 league goals this season.
Newcastle are languishing in 19th place and only bottom club Watford have conceded more goals this season.
Defensive reinforcements are clearly a top priority and Howe may opt to go for what he knows.
The ex-Bournemouth manager worked with Tyron Mings before the latter left for Aston Villa.
And with Mings now an established England international, the Cherries connection may prove tempting as Howe seeks to shore up the defence.
Read our Football news live blog for the very latest rumours, gossip and done deals
