Much has been made of Premier League spending power and financial 'ceilings' already this summer but Newcastle United have proved they aren't too far behind their top four-chasing rivals after persuading Sandro Tonali to join the Tyneside revolution.
The Italian, 23, joins Newcastle on a five-year deal, with the transfer expected to be worth £55m. The San Siro icon bid an emotional goodbye to his beloved club and will now further his experience in the 'NBA of football', according to agent Guiseppe Riso.
Eddie Howe has proven he wasn't lying when he said his wish was for 'elite' signings through the door this summer. While there was clamour for the Magpies to strengthen in depth, the first deal of the summer is well and truly a statement addition.
READ MORE: Sandro Tonali's first words as a Newcastle United player as 'excited' star aims to 'repay' Howe
Newcastle aren't expected to replicate similar outlays too often this summer. While the budget at St James' Park is fluid, Tonali's arrival will have taken a hefty chunk out of the short-term funds as the likes of CEO Darren Eales and his team attempt to balance the books as best as possible.
But Newcastle knew they needed a signing of this magnitude; A player that walks straight into Howe's plans. After all, the other teams at the top of the Premier League have wasted no time adding to their arsenal so far this summer.
Liverpool have just signed former Newcastle target Dominik Szoboszlai in a deal worth £60m, weeks after adding Alexis Mac Allister to the Anfield midfield. The Reds unexpectedly struggled last term and, despite pleading poverty in recent years, are now going all out to fix the issues that plagued Jurgen Klopp's side last term.
Arsenal went close to the title last year and have responded by putting the pedal to the floor by moving for the most expensive player in Premier League history in Declan Rice. Ajax's Jurrien Timber and Chelsea's Kai Havertz are also on their way to the Emirates, with the latter reportedly earning an eye-watering sum as he switches his London allegiance.
Another impeding Chelsea departure is Mason Mount, who will soon be a Manchester United player in a deal worth around £70m. The Red Devils finished four points above Newcastle last term but are unloading funds to ensure they stay in the top four.
With Newcastle's new-found rivals all ensuring they bolster their midfield options between now and August, Howe's side face a tough task juggling domestic and European competitions, while trying to emulate last season's stellar performance.
Howe has known this since day one, however. As such, the Newcastle boss, chief scout Steve Nickson and sporting director Dan Ashworth have pored over the options at their disposal this summer and worked from a small pool of potential targets.
Newcastle's commercial revenue lags significantly behind their 'Big Six' rivals at present but the north east outfit have still been able to present an ambitious project to one of Europe's top outlets, double his wages and vastly improve their first-team in one fell swoop.
An exciting signing, who has broken hearts in Milan after his departure, and an arrival that shows the direction Newcastle are going in. The Premier League's biggest sides might be strengthening this summer - but if Newcastle can pull off another one or two Tonali-esque masterstrokes, they won't be left behind.
