Where Newcastle United go next in transfer market after securing early boost

It is a move that was much-needed. The transfer window may not have opened yet but getting a deal for Lloyd Kelly over the line provides a much-needed boost for Newcastle United ahead of an important summer.

The defender is set to join the Magpies on a five-year deal, with an option of a further year, with his medical taking place ahead of his eagerly-awaited move, upon the expiration of his Bournemouth deal.

Kelly's arrival is a promising start but more huge moves will be made in the coming weeks. So, where do Howe and his transfer team go next after securing their first arrival of the summer?

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The Newcastle boss was extremely keen to land not only Kelly but fellow free agent Tosin Adarabioyo from Fulham this month. The centre-back, who flourished in Manchester City's academy before seeking first-team football in the capital, has opted to join Chelsea but his arrival would have essentially seen Newcastle's central defensive business completed for the summer.

It would therefore be no surprise to see a big money move for another option in Howe's backline. With Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles sustaining long-term knee problems, Fabian Schar approaching the final years of his career, Emil Krafth filling in as a makeshift centre-back and Alex Murphy seemingly not yet ready for regular first-team football, there is certainly scope for Kelly to be joined by another incoming defender on Tyneside.

That, however, will take much-needed funds away from strengthening other positions. Newcastle's well-documented profit and sustainability issues need no repeating but do present Howe with a challenge this summer when it comes to purchasing exciting assets.

The goalkeeping department is one area that will certainly be strengthened as Burnley's James Trafford is pursued for a fee in the region of £20m. The 21-year-old stopper is seen as the ideal candidate to offer competition to Nick Pope in the short-term and kick on to become the club's number one in the long-term.

The big priority, however, is adding additional firepower at the top end of the pitch. Anthony Gordon has cemented his spot on the left ahead of Harvey Barnes but Miguel Almiron and Jacob Murphy continue to battle it out for minutes on the opposite flank.

Newcastle have previously tried to sign top talents on the right-wing, notably Moussa Diaby who ended up joining Aston Villa from Bayer Leverkusen when the Magpies were keen. This summer targets range from Bryan Mbeumo, Pedro Neto, Michael Olise and Jarrod Bowen. All ambitious options who would improve the standard at St James' Park. You feel if the 'big money' is going to be spent anywhere this summer; that is the position.

Of course, big-name arrivals in today's world rely heavily on big-name exits. Newcastle have a handful of assets at their disposal who could fetch a fair price. Almiron, Kieran Trippier, Sean Longstaff and Callum Wilson the most obvious.

Howe is no doubt stuck between a rock and a hard place with that reality. He knows, and has gone public with his view, that selling these type of key players means spending more money to replace them. It is a tricky balancing act.

In terms of players who will definitely be shipped out, moves are being made to get Ryan Fraser and Isaac Hayden's wages off the books in the coming weeks. Both stars earn roughly £60,000-per-week between them; a significant amount given both have no future under Howe.

Elsewhere, bids for Matt Targett and Martin Dubravka will be welcomed in the coming months as the St James' Park revamp begins to take shape.