Newcastle United ended the campaign 11th in the Premier League table as they beat Burnley 2-1 on the final day of the season.
Callum Wilson scored both goals as he consigned the Clarets to relegation from the top-flight, a prospect the Magpies were facing at the start of the year.
Eddie Howe has led the club to safety and will now turn his attention to making key additions to the squad in order to push on again next term.
One player the Toon have recently been linked with a swoop for is Juventus central midfielder Weston McKennie, who is reportedly available for a fee in the region of £34m (€40m).
The Magpies must bring him in over the summer as he can form a deadly midfield partnership with Bruno Guimaraes on Tyneside.
In Europe's top five leagues over the past year, the American ranks in the 85th percentile for non-penalty goals per 90 in his position. He also ranks in the 86th percentile for non-penalty Expected Goals and Expected Assists combined per 90, with these statistics suggesting that he will offer a significant attacking threat from midfield if he is given regular minutes.
Guimaraes, meanwhile, ranks in the 85th and 92nd percentile in those two categories. This shows that they both have a knack for popping up in the final third with chances to score or passes to set up good opportunities for their teammates.
McKennie has earned plaudits for his performances in Germany and Italy. His former Schalke manager David Wagner previously heaped praise on his talents, saying:
"He's an outstanding talent. In the No.6 or No.8 position he has the mentality, a real working mentality that you need. And he's brave on the ball as well. He can be one of the best midfielders in the Bundesliga."
The German is not the only head coach who has been left impressed by the midfielder as Juventus legend Andrea Pirlo dubbed him a "rock".
This proves that he can adapt to different leagues and the cultural changes that come with that, which bodes well for a potential Premier League switch. He has shown that he can perform in the Bundesliga and the Serie A, as illustrated by these comments, and it is now time for him to try his luck in England.
McKennie and Guimaraes can team up in the middle of the park and both provide an exciting attacking threat that will excite supporters throughout the 2022/23 campaign.