Newcastle's January transfer window got off to the best possible start after Kieran Trippier was officially unveiled in a black-and-white shirt.
The right-back was one of the top targets for Eddie Howe as he plans a great escape at St. James' Park.
The Magpies are just two points away from safety but have one of the worst defensive records in the division.
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Trippier's arrival is a step towards addressing that abysmal record, but Newcastle have plenty of work to do.
Sven Botman, Lucas Digne and Diego Carlos are among the defenders to have been linked with a move to Tyneside - who would've thought that would be a sentence less than six months ago?
It looks somewhat unlikely that Digne will join the Magpies, with Rafa Benitez's comments about his attitude contradicting what Howe is trying to build at Newcastle, not to mention the astronomical wages being reported.
But for Newcastle fans, even being linked with the aforementioned players is enough to set the heart racing.
Two more realistic targets for the Toon are Botman and Carlos.
The Magpies have reportedly placed a second bid for Dutch international - Botman - who was once a target of Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United.
While Eddie Howe did not give a direct response when quizzed on transfer speculation, the centre-back dropped the biggest hint on his future, liking a photoshopped picture of him in a Newcastle shirt.
The 21-year-old signed a five-year deal with Lille in 2020 and was part of the title winning side that pipped PSG to the Ligue 1 title last season.
The centre-back is thought to be one of the stars of the future and fans have not been able to get excited about signings like that since Sir Bobby Robson's era.
Lille are reluctant to sell the defender but he's keen on a move to Tyneside if the latest reports are to be believed - only reaffirming that the Magpies have a pull across Europe - contrary to what Mr Agbolnahor may think.
As for Diego Carlos, Sevila are demanding Newcastle increase their offer - slapping a £35million price tag on the defender.
Carlos may not be able to boast the title winning credentials that Botman can, however, the Brazilian was part of Sevilla's Europa League winning side back in 2020.
The 28-year-old had a hand in the winner as his overhead kick was bundled into the net by Romelu Lukaku.
Newcastle are eying the right calibre of players - who have already proven themselves at domestic and European level - but have also been linked with an ambitious offer for Fiorentina wonderkid Dusan Vlahovic.
Arsenal appear to be the frontrunners for the Serbian's €70million signature, but the Magpies were mentioned in reports earlier this week.
It would be easy to diminish those reports given the size of the fee and Financial Fair Play rules that Newcastle need to comply with, but stranger things have happened.
One thing that's for certain, Howe is on the lookout for a striker after Callum Wilson limped out of the draw with Manchester United on December 27.
Tentative links to Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are another pinch me moment for Toon fans.
While it's important fans remain grounded, with Premier League survival the immediate focus, the remainder of the transfer window promises to be very exciting for fans of those in black and white.
