Chief executive David Hopkinson says everyone at the club is on the same page when it comes to planning for the summer window - and that includes exits as well as incomings.
Newcastle face a seven-game fight to scramble their way into Europe next season.
The Magpies are currently 12th, seven points off fifth place and a second successive season in the Champions League now feels extremely unlikely. But qualifying for the Europa League and even the Conference League would aid Newcastle's cause financially.
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Where Newcastle finish and which competitions they're in next season will inevitably impact their summer business, both in terms of ins and outs.
Hopkinson said: "First off, we've got seven matches to go and we don't know what regulatory regime we are going to be operating. If the season ended today, we'd be outside European competition, although that is not our ambition.
"What I can tell you is that Ross [Wilson, sporting director], Simon [Capper, chief finance officer], Eddie and myself, everybody who is attached is working through what our strategy is this summer in either scenario.
"We are not prepared to comment on how we might be operating on signings right now, other than we all agree we need to be prepared for either scenario, deeply and extensively now, as opposed to waiting to see which scenario we are in."
He added: "We have two directions of planning. Two scenarios with a multitude of strategies that follow either scenario."
Hopkinson admitted earlier this week that Newcastle will need to "trade", which will be even more important if Howe's side miss out on the Champions League, as looks likely, or Europe all together.
As well as continued speculation surrounding star assets such as Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon and Tino Livramento, a number of other players face uncertain futures. Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schar and Emil Krafth are all out of contract this summer.
One criticism aimed at Howe in the past is that he's too loyal with players and unwilling to let them move on.
Asked whether the head coach is on board with the need to trade moving forward, Hopkinson said: “Eddie is experienced, thoughtful and understands squad cost management and the need to maximise our competitive opportunity.
"Eddie wants the exact same things we do and we have lots of good dialogue with him. What I can tell you is he is aligned and understands this.”
Newcastle star Tonali endured World Cup heartbreak this week when Italy failed to qualify for this summer's tournament.
It's the third World Cup in a row Italy have failed to qualify for, with Gennaro Gattuso’s side losing on penalties to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Italy were on course to progress when Moise Kean capitalised on an error from Bosnia goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj to claim a 15th-minute opener.
But, following Alessandro Bastoni’s 41st-minute dismissal for a last-man foul on Amar Memic, substitute Haris Tabakovic levelled in the 79th minute before the tie was decided on spot-kicks.
It's a major blow for Tonali. Discussing the midfielder's future, Tonali's agent, Giuseppe Riso, said last month: "Everyone’s waiting for the World Cup, and then a thousand situations arise, but everything starts after the World Cup.”