Newcastle United already know their next TWO transfer moves after Kieran Trippier deal

Newcastle United have started the January transfer window with a bang following the arrival of England full-back Kieran Trippier.

The 31-year-old became the first signing of the new Saudi Arabian-led ownership after completing his £12million move from Atletico Madrid on Thursday.

Make no two ways about it, it’s a statement signing from the Magpies, hence why the transfer has gone down so ecstatically on Tyneside.

An international regular, who has played in a European Championship and Champions League final, and lifted a major league title - that’s top-class experience that has been unheard of at Newcastle United for a long time.

But perhaps even more excitingly, United are far from being finished there. In fact, Trippier is just the start as new owners work tirelessly on other targets.

Central defender is the priority

Focus has quickly turned to acquiring a central defender in a bid to shore up a backline that has conceded a joint-Premier League highest of 42 - a total matched by Norwich Cty.

Trippier, although brings a number of offensive attributes, is one part of the jigsaw after spending the last two-and-a-half years under one of the best defensive coaches on the planet in Diego Simeone.

The hope now however is United can add fresh blood at the heart of the defence, with Lille’s Netherlands under-21s international Sven Botman understood to be top of the tree.

Bringing Botman to St James’ Park won’t be easy, as largely reported elsewhere. The Ligue One outfit do not want to sell, despite the 21-year-old keen on joining Howe’s relegation-threatened side. Other European clubs are also interested in the French title winner.

NewcastleWorld reached out to Botman’s representatives, however they remain very tight-lipped on the situation.

Any potential deal for Botman may go the wire, which could force United to look elsewhere. Burnley’s James Tarkowski and Bayern Munich’s Niklas Sule are just two names to have featured among discussions.

Tarkowski was identified early on in the new owners’ reign. The player is keen on joining the new era on Tyneside but the Clarets are against offloading one of their star players to a relegation rival.

Perhaps the possible arrival of Mason Holgate at Turf Moor will loosen Sean Dyche’s side’s firm stance, but that is just pure speculation as Tarkowski enters the final few months of his contract. Sevilla’s Diego Carlos has recently become of interest.

Meanwhile, Everton left-back Lucas Digne is admired by Eddie Howe, but it is believed the 28-year-old is not keen on a North East switch at this moment in time.

Striker situation

Bringing in a striker has become a matter of urgency with Howe likely to be without top scorer Callum Wilson for a considerable amount of time.

Allan Saint-Maximin is a short-term fix as a central forward but it would be foolish to rely on the Frenchman until Wilson returns - and United are well aware of that.

Yes, Saint-Maximin enjoyed success in a similar role under Steve Bruce and Howe during the 3-1 defeat at Liverpool but, quite simply, he is not an out-and-out striker.

Newcastle have the funds to go and sign a recognised number nine. The plan is to do that, or they face retaining the services of Dwight Gayle, who has struggled for goals in England’s top-flight throughout his career.

Scrap youself into NUFC fans, speculation is only going to get more intense.