After such a bitterly disappointing end to the season, Newcastle United have not surprisingly already made moves in the transfer market. Ayoze Perez, Jack Colback and Siem De Jong have all made the move to Tyneside, with Alan Pardew still reportedly looking at several more. However, replacements for the likes of Loic Remy and Yohan Cabaye are desperately required.
However, the vultures are inevitably circling around some of the club's prized assets. At the time of writing, Mathieu Debuchy's move to Arsenal has been all but officially confirmed whilst rumours continue to link Moussa Sissoko elsewhere.
After such an abysmal downturn in form in 2014, Newcastle need to raise morale amongst the Toon Army this summer. Bearing this in mind, here's the FIVE steps to the perfect transfer window on Tyneside.
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Click on Pardew for the five steps to Newcastle's perfect summer transfer window
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GET CABELLA "OVER THE LINE"
Even if it is just to save face now, Newcastle really need to resolve the Remy Cabella saga sooner rather than later. The latest reports suggest that the Magpies have recently re-opened negotiations over the playmaker, although there are no indications that a deal is in the offing any time soon.
Even with the arrival of Siem De Jong, Newcastle are still in desperate need of further creative reinforcements. Despite Montpellier's struggles, Cabella still managed to rack up an impressive fourteen goals and five assists in Ligue 1 last season.
Capable of operating centrally or out wide, it seems as though the 24 year old remains Pardew's number one target in this window. Rather than letting the saga drag out for the rest of the summer, Newcastle need to either complete a deal or move on to an alternative sooner rather than later.
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RESOLVE THE BEN ARFA CONUNDRUM
Whilst Newcastle's attack misfired time and time again in 2014, many members of the Toon Army were bemused by Hatem Ben Arfa's continued absence from the starting eleven. Rather than sitting in the stands, surely the club should be finding a way to bring the best out of the enigmatic Frenchman on the pitch?
After all, this is a player that has already delivered several moments of individual magic on Tyneside, like this FA Cup strike against Blackburn.
Judging by the latest photos and reports though, Ben Arfa has been training away from the first team squad and isn't exactly in the best of shape.
A decision on the controversial Frenchman needs to be made this summer. Ben Arfa is undoubtedly gifted but evidently needs to apply himself better to impress his manager. If the Frenchman simply doesn't figure in Pardew's plans, Newcastle should move the 27 year old on.
STRIKERS!
With the departures of Shola Ameobi, Luuk De Jong and Loic Remy, there is currently a worrying absence of strikers at the club. Papiss Cisse is in the midst of recovering from a long term injury and while Siem De Jong can play up top, the Dutchman prefers a deeper role.
Demba Ba, Joel Campbell, Alexandre Lacazette, Loic Remy and Emmanuel Riviere are amongst a host of names linked with a move to Tyneside this summer. The Magpies made a move for Pierre-Michel Lasogga, only for the striker to opt for a permanent switch to Hamburg instead.
In any case, at least two strikers need to arrive at Newcastle sooner rather than later. Pardew's side failed to score on too many occasions in 2014, a trait that they simply cannot afford to continue into the new season.
REPLACE KEY PLAYERS
After the deadline day sale of Andy Carroll and the subsequent downturn in form back in 2011, one would have hoped that Newcastle would understand the need to replace key players. Yet despite knowing of Yohan Cabaye's departure for months, the Magpies repeated the same mistake last season with disastrous consequences.
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Especially with such a threadbare squad, Newcastle simply cannot afford to allow key men to leave without signing a replacement. At the time of writing, Debuchy's move to Arsenal has been all but confirmed whilst several reports have linked Sissoko with a move elsewhere.
If the big boys come calling, Newcastle aren't in the position to realistically keep hold of their star names. But if any do depart St James' Park this summer, Pardew needs to be granted at least some of the money to sign adequate replacements.
CLEAR OUT THE DEADWOOD
Despite having such a thin squad, there is still currently a fair amount of deadwood on Tyneside. The likes of Jonas Gutierrez, Sylvain Marveaux and Gabriel Obertan barely featured last season, whilst serious question marks linger over whether Steven Taylor and Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa should remain at the club.
For a club operating on such a strict budget, it is somewhat of a surprise that a select few are still at Newcastle. Dan Gosling and James Tavernier have already been released, but there is a suggestion that several more should follow. If any do depart though, Pardew should again be granted the finance to find better quality replacements, even if it is just for squad depth.