Newcastle United are in the hunt for four major signings this summer. The world and his wife know that by now. A goalkeeper. A centre-back. A right-sided forward. A central striker.
Common perception is that two or three of those must be players who walk into the first team. They have to be significantly better than what they have already.
It's widely believed that the goalkeeper will be one of those, and that United will look to upgrade the position by bringing in someone who is not only an outstanding shot-stopper but also a ball-playing sweeper. They have to possess the starting position, agility and command that Nick Pope possesses but be infinitely more comfortable with the ball at his feet, someone able to act as an 11th outfield player, start attacks and retain possession under pressure.
It was a transfer that Newcastle almost pulled off last summer. Back then, a deal for James Trafford was set up only for it to be postponed amid PSR concerns, which included Odysseus Vlachomidos' arrival and a need to tighten their belts. The Trafford signature is one United will pursue again.
There is a school of thought however that the keeper position shouldn't be a priority again this year, not with a dependable No 1 in Pope and a plethora of back-up options. If Newcastle have a spare £30million to spend, by all means bring one in. But that money could be better spent elsewhere.
That position is surely a central striker. Previously viewed bottom of the list, I'd argue it needs to be top.
Alexander Isak's absence at the Emirates Stadium yesterday was critical. The Swede has been struggling for weeks - either through injury, fatigue or a combination of both. Newcastle just haven't had the personnel to give him a rest over the last few months and he may now sit out the crucial season finale.
Callum Wilson has been a fine servant for Newcastle but a Champions League striker he is not. At least, not anymore. His legs don't have the pace or power that they once did, dulled by a multitude of injuries over the years. That's no criticism - to keep coming back from a catalogue of setbacks shows the measure of the man.
That strength of character will hopefully mean he goes on to have an Indian summer to his career elsewhere. Out of contract this summer, it is unfathomable that he is handed an extension to his stay on Tyneside.
Handed a chance to lead the line in Isak's absence, he grafted tirelessly but struggled to cause too many tremors in the Arsenal backline, in contrast to the barnstorming performance he put in three years ago against the same opponent which was one of the best centre forward displays I've seen from a player in a black and white shirt.
Will Osula stepped off the bench to replace him but Newcastle ended with Anthony Gordon through the middle as they fought in vain for an equaliser. If the Magpies are serious about challenging for trophies next season, they need better options to replace Isak than a 33-year-old, a winger or a youngster with just one Premier League goal and two in League One to his name in his entire career.
Hopefully the budget stretches to cover all four departments that need strengthening but while PSR issues have eased with a deficit of £72m wiped off the balance sheet, there won't be a bottomless pit of cash to spend this summer. Some estimates have it at around £100m plus whatever is brought in through sales. Not a lot when you look at the calibre of players needed to improve what is already a high-level squad.
If a priority needs to be shifted, however, it shouldn't come at the expense of finding another top-class striker.
