Newcastle United's next transfer priorities if Sven Botman and Hugo Ekitike are signed

The transfer agenda at Newcastle United this summer is a hectic one. Building on the second half of the 2021/22 season is vitally important for Eddie Howe and he will be acutely aware of where he wants to strengthen a squad that is largely full of players he has inherited.

Despite the opening of the transfer window being a week away, he and his recruitment team are already taking the first steps to address the weaknesses in the side. The wheels are said to already be in motion for the potential signings of both Sven Botman and Hugo Ekitike, two of the club’s targets in January.

Another centre-back and a striker are high on the list of priorities for Howe and co but there are other positions that will be targeted over the next few weeks and months. The United manager has made it clear that he is keen to have two goalkeepers fighting for the number one spot and that could be where attention turns next.

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Robert Sanchez and Dean Henderson are two of the players who have been most heavily linked to challenge Martin Dubravka but nothing has been forthcoming as of yet. The Manchester United number two was being widely tipped to be on the verge of agreeing a deal but there have been no further advancements in the last couple of weeks.

As for Sanchez, Brighton are understood to have set a £50m asking price on the head of their goalkeeper after two impressive Premier League campaigns. That price tag is unlikely to tempt United, or any other potential suitors, but it represents how much the Spaniard is worth to the Seagulls as one of the true goalkeeping all-rounders in the top flight.

A left-back is another of the positions that needs to be strengthened at