Newcastle United are in for a potentially defining summer, with reports suggesting Eddie Howe is crystal clear about what he wants for the club.
Newcastle braced for summer exits as Magpies plan to replace key men
The exits could be coming.
That much at St James' Park is being heavily reported right now.
Sandro Tonali Newcastle-1
Sandro Tonali's camp have apparently been actively exploring a move away from Tyneside throughout the spring, with Man United, Man City and now Real Madrid all mooted as potential destinations alongside Arsenal.
Juventus have also made reportedly made contact, reflecting Tonali's personal preference to return to Serie A — though his valuation of upwards of £80m makes that avenue extremely difficult for any Italian suitor to navigate.
Tino Livramento, meanwhile, has done little to suggest he intends to extend a contract that will have just two years remaining come the summer, with Man City identified as a long-term admirer of the 23-year-old right-back and Arsenal also circling.
Newcastle United fans before the match Related
Newcastle 'more likely' than Chelsea, Sunderland and Liverpool to sign £64m star for key reason
He's very popular in Premier League circles.
Anthony Gordon himself has been linked with a move to the Emirates, while Bruno Guimaraes continues to attract admirers from across Europe.
It is a long and uncomfortable list of possible departures that threatens to reshape the very foundation Howe spent years constructing.
Yet into that picture of upheaval, Graeme Bailey of TEAMtalk reports that Howe has been anything but passive.
Newcastle make striker 'top priority' as Howe makes 'firm demand'
The Newcastle manager has made a 'firm demand' to the club's hierarchy: full backing for a comprehensive summer rebuild, or the project stalls.
Eddie-Howe
Last summer was chaotic in ways that those closest to the club will not quickly forget. With no director of football in place, Howe found himself consumed by transfer negotiations far beyond his role.
The departure of Alexander Isak became a prolonged, destabilising saga — Newcastle ultimately demanded a British record fee and only reluctantly let him leave — with the late scramble to replace him with Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade following after that.
What is different now is structure.
Ross Wilson has been installed as director of football, and TEAMtalk understands that he and Howe are fully aligned on what the summer needs to deliver.
Newcastle technical director Ross Wilson
This summer marks their first genuine opportunity to work in tandem from the outset, with a shared vision and a clear strategy.
Recruitment plans are already being mapped across all positions, but the headline priority is unambiguous: a new centre-forward is the 'top priority' for Newcastle.
Isak's departure last summer left a void that has never been adequately filled, and Howe is determined that addressing it is the non-negotiable first order of business.
Additional reinforcements are also planned in midfield — Lamine Camara of Monaco has been identified as a target — defence, and goalkeeping.
So, the scope of the rebuild Howe has in mind is genuinely significant.
With multiple years left on his contract and a long-term commitment to the club that sources describe as genuine, Howe is not issuing ultimatums lightly.
He simply wants Newcastle to compete at the very top of English football, and knows exactly what that requires.
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe before the start of the match Related
Newcastle submit opening bid to hijack Arsenal's move for Brazilian forward with £86m release clause
An offer has been made.