Eddie Howe is expected to have a busy summer transfer window, if reports are to be believed.

Newcastle United have set their sights on signing four players this summer, according to reports.

The Toon have had a strong second-half of the season which sees them sit ninth in the Premier League, with four games remaining.

Eddie Howe is now ready to bolster his ranks at St James’ Park ahead of what is expected to be a busy summer transfer window in the north east.

According to 90min, the Newcastle boss is looking to ‘finalise deals’ for Hugo Ekitike, Jesse Lingard and Matt Targett.

Newcastle United have reportedly 'remained in contact' with Manchester United star Jesse Lingard (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)

The Toon were close to signing the Ekitike in the winter window, but a move for the forward failed to materialise on deadline day.

The website suggests that Howe is still interested in bringing Ekitike to St James’ Park, despite competition from Ligue 1 winners Paris Saint-Germain.

Ekitike, 19, has been in good form for Reims this season, scoring 10 goals in 24 fixtures in all competitions, and would be available for £30m.

In terms of Lingard, the story adds the Toon have offered the out-of-contract midfielder a ‘significantly better offer’ than that of West Ham United - the club he spent the second-half of the last campaign at.

Lingard was also close to joining Howe’s side in January but a deal broke down after his current club Manchester United prevented it from happening.

Liverpool and Arsenal were monitoring Eintracht Frankfurt’s France under-21 international defender Evan Ndicka before the season was suspended. (Sky Sports)

Finally, 90min claim Newcastle have been ‘impressed’ by the loan signing of Targett in the winter window and are looking to turn his temporary stay into a permanent one.

The left-back joined Howe’s team from Aston Villa and has featured regularly for the Toon ever since.

It is being reported that there is an agreement already in place between Newcastle and Villa for Targett to move to St James’ Park for £15m this summer.

Elsewhere, Howe is said to be looking at signing French centre-back Evan Ndicka, as per the Chronicle.

The 22-year-old, who has one-year left on his contract with Eintracht Frankfurt, would cost the club £23m and would add depth to their defence.

However, the site adds the Toon could face competition from Arsenal and Liverpool for Ndicka’s signature, with both teams reportedly interested in the defender.

All in, the four potential deals would cost the Magpies around £70m on transfer fees.

Newcastle United ‘set sights’ £70m four-transfer swoop ahead of a busy summer window