Newcastle United have endured a busy and challenging week but the mood is beginning to lift as the focus turns towards potential new signings.
Rewind to last weekend and the Magpies were in a desperate situation. They needed to raise a significant amount of funds before June 30 to comply with Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) - and did so at the last minute.
Yankuba Minteh left to join Brighton and Hove Albion in a £33million deal while academy graduate Elliot Anderson moved to Nottingham Forest for £35m, equalling the club-record sale that saw Andy Carroll join Liverpool in January 2011.
In return, Odysseas Vlachodimos swapped the City Ground for St James’ Park for an undisclosed fee. And his arrival was followed by Lewis Hall, Lloyd Kelly and John Ruddy.
Meanwhile, significant process has been made off the field. An agreement between Newcastle and Manchester United was finally reached for Dan Ashworth, almost five months after he was first placed on gardening leave.
And the Magpies wasted no time in announcing Ashworth’s successor with Paul Mitchell, formerly of Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur, accepting the sporting director position.
It’s understood Mitchell has already been working on potential deals behind the scenes.
Here, NewcastleWorld has taken a look at the latest rumours and put together a potential starting XI for the Premier League opener at home to Southampton on Saturday, August 17.
1. GK: Nick Pope
The arrivals of Odysseas Vlachodimos and John Ruddy won't be enough to take the No.1 jersey off Pope. | Getty Images
2. RB - Tino Livramento
Kieran Trippier could be on the move following Euro 2024. his could result in Tino Livramento fulfilling his destiny as Newcastle's long-serving right-back. | AFP via Getty Images
3. CB - Fabian Schar
The Swiss international turns 33 later this year but ages like fine wine. | AFP via Getty Images
4. CB: Lloyd Kelly
Howe knows about Kelly's quality - and versatility - having first signed him for AFC Bournemouth in 2019. If the 25-year-old can stay fit then an England call-up might not be far away. | Getty Images