There has been a considerable amount of fuss surrounding the northeast of England in the last few weeks after Newcastle were taken over by the Saudi Prince Investment Fund.
The finances driven into St James' Park now make them the most lucrative team on earth and thus, their spending power in 2022 could be quite considerable.
What's the word?
That being said, their ability to spend that money wisely won't be entirely feasible until they find the right director of football.
PIF are moving cautiously and sensible in their bid to improve the football club and after hiring Eddie Howe, next on their agenda is appointing someone capable of aiding him in the transfer market.
Michael Edwards was linked before that was quickly quashed upon the announcement of his departure from Liverpool.
Michael Emenalo appears to be the favourite at the moment, and according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, talks will begin in the coming days over the vacant role.
Speaking on the latest edition of the Here We Go podcast, the Italian reporter said: "I will keep an eye also on Michael Emenalo, former Chelsea director. It could be an interesting one for Newcastle. But let’s see if they will do something surprising as they did with the manager.”
"Newcastle are working on a sporting director and this week they will start to have some conversations. Let's see when they will decide."
Exciting times
Although the news that Newcastle are looking for a director is hardly fresh, the idea that they're set to ramp up the process over the next week will surely excite the Toon Army.
Following the sacking of Steve Bruce, the departure of Mike Ashley and the subsequent arrival of PIF and Howe, there is only one piece of the jigsaw that needs to be filled; a director of football.
It's evident that the Magpies could do with an expert in player recruitment behind the scenes which is why fans will no doubt be excited to hear that they are now set to do things properly.
They have been left to witness some pretty diabolical recruitment over the last few years with Joelinton's club-record move at £40m summing up their inadequacies.
The Brazilian has scored just ten goals since arriving in English football and on that evidence, it's clear that Newcastle needs to start spending their money more wisely.
Under PIF, that will become particularly important, especially when it comes to financial fair play.
The club's Saudi-led backers won't be able to spend a bucketload of cash without playing fairly and picking up players like Joelinton at extortionate prices won't help their cause.
Yet, if they are able to secure someone like Emenalo, a man famed for the influx of Belgian talent at Chelsea in Eden Hazard, Thibaut Courtois and Kevin de Bruyne, it could be game-changing for the football club.
It must be a relief for everyone associated with Newcastle that their football club is beginning to be run in the correct manner. These are truly exciting times at St James'.