As January plans are formulated in the run up to the winter window, Newcastle United's priorities are currently clear.
If Eddie Howe can find the funds to strengthen at either right-wing, up top or at the heart of his defence, the month will likely be deemed a success. However, as rumours swirl over a potential departure between the sticks, it remains to be seen if a spanner will be thrown in the works.
Speculation in the Middle East on Monday suggested Martin Dubravka has agreed a deal in principle to join Al-Shabab in January. The Saudi side have lost South Korean international goalkeeper Kim Seung-Gyu to a cruciate ligament injury, which means Newcastle's veteran stopper is now on their radar.
Howe kept his cards close to his chest on Tuesday morning, speaking ahead of Wednesday's cup encounter with Brentford, but should the Saudi deal prove true, it leaves Newcastle with a fresh question to answer next month.
As we all know, Newcastle are not flush with cash ahead of the upcoming trading period. Players must leave before they can arrive - but while Dubravka's exit would potentially bring in much-needed funds and cut the club's wage bill, Odysseas Vlachodimos' lack of game time behind him in the pecking order may make Newcastle switch their focus.
The Greek international signed in the summer as part of the deal that saw Elliot Anderson join Nottingham Forest, but is still not deemed ready to play second fiddle to Nick Pope despite his wealth of experience on the continent.
With Pope out injured for around a month and Dubravka potentially heading for the exit door, does Howe seek another stopper next month despite those aforementioned priorities in other areas of the pitch? It sounds a baffling question to ask given Newcastle have five senior stoppers on the books.
Vlachodimos remains Greece's main man and before his stint at Forest was a highly-rated talent thanks to his exploits at Benfica. At Newcastle, however, he is very much a backup who would be unexpectedly thrust into first-team contention should Dubravka leave.
For now, however, the Slovakian is the club's first choice stopper and will be Howe's go-to man between now and January provided he stays fit. "I think Martin played really well," the boss said on Tuesday when asked about Dubravka's return in the 4-0 win over Leicester City.
"He did not have a lot to do with his hands which was a good thing for us as a defensive unit but I think he was very calm in possession and gave us a really good platform to build from at the back, a vastly experienced and vastly level headed I think he can be very pleased with his return to the team."