Newcastle United chiefs will hold a crunch meeting this weekend to discuss recruitment for the next window.
The conference will include discussions on targets that have been scouted over the winter periods after talent spotting missions to Spain, Italy, France, Belgium, Holland and further afield in eastern Europe.
United have been linked with Brazilian striker Joelinton of Hoffenheim in recent months and a more concrete list of targets is yet to be whittled down.
Where we stand on Rafa Benitez's future after reports from France linking him with Ligue 1 clubs
Rafa Benitez is expected to attend along with managing director Lee Charnley, head of recruitment Steve Nickson, European scout Paul Baker and senior scout Mick Tait.
The meetings are expected to take place at St James' Park and the training ground over the weekend.
United hold regular scouting meetings across the season and this get-together was always in the diary for United chiefs.
But there are certain to be some hints on Benitez's future within the meeting as summer targets are discussed as well as the planned changes that lie ahead for the club's Academy.
Three major changes will take place at the Academy in the next few weeks with a new Under-23 boss set to be unveiled, a loan manager and a new coach for the younger sections of the club's youth system.
Current Under-23 boss Ben Dawson is set to move up to a new technical role and will effectively be head of coaching at youth level.
Former Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi is being considered for a role but there have been a host of applicants for the positions advertised last month.
Indeed, it is believed that there have been some high profile names that are interested in working at the Academy as well as some internal applicants that wish to be considered for a promotion.
Where we stand on Rafa Benitez's future after reports from France linking him with Ligue 1 clubs
Newcastle United chiefs clear the path for Rafa Benitez to extend his stay at St James' Park
