Eddie Howe is confident that the transfer targets on his shortlist will get Newcastle United supporters excited this summer.
Howe said that some of the players he has in mind would slot into the same "marquee" bracket as Alexander Isak did last summer after his £63million arrival from Real Sociedad. But he also suggested Newcastle must bring in the right characters.
First Howe confirmed that transfer meetings will take place in the next few days with sporting director Dan Ashworth and the owners. But Howe said Newcastle do not currently have plans to strike early in the summer with getting players in for the start of pre-season in early July closer to the mark in his eyes.
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Howe told Chronicle Live: "No there's nothing ready right at this second. There's nothing done, signed off or completed.
"Ideally you do your work early and in time for pre-season. You can formulate your plans with the squad and players can get to know each other.
"Last year was a good example, where we had to react very late in the window to get Alex Isak and he's turned out to be an incredible signing for us. We'll have to be adaptable because you can have the plan but the other club or the other player have different ideas."
When asked if the players he has on his list would be classed as marquee arrivals, Howe responded: "Yeah there would be players (on the list) that we would classify as under that bracket (marquee).
"For me, it is more about the role they can fulfil in the team. "If that is viewed positively or as a marquee signing then great.
"I am not necessarily thinking in my mind we have to have one of those players that ticks that box for the supporters. As much as I'd love to do that, it is about finding the right player in the right position that can make us better."
It remains to be seen how many players will come in this summer but Howe said that the fact Newcastle are a Champions League club again will not alter the numbers.
Howe said: "I hoped to do some things [this summer] and I don't think it changes the numbers [making the Champions League]. We'll have to produce a squad for the Champions League. "So top four won't change the amount of signings.
"As I've said, it won't be a lot of numbers and a lot of big moves in. Hopefully, it'll be the right two or three players to make us better."
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