Newcastle United fans will be keeping a close eye on the relegation scene in the Premier League this season - despite not being involved in a top-flight scrap for survival for the first time in seven years.
For whoever slips into the Sky Bet Championship this year could still have relevance for the Magpies on the transfer front. Indeed, a number of potential summer targets on United's shortlist will be impacted if their clubs go down.
England international James Maddison remains on United's shortlist after a serious attempt to snap up the 26-year-old last summer. In the end, United were left frustrated as their £50million bid - an offer that had been increased - did not secure his services.
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Regardless of whether Leicester stay up or go down, Maddison seems set to leave the Foxes and Newcastle will be back in the mix for the star that has just a year left on his current deal. Leicester may have to accept a lesser bid for the winger this time around too.
Another Leicester star that interests Newcastle is Harvey Barnes who has just a couple of years left on his Foxes deal. Barnes has been watched by United before and was considered last summer as the club looked for options at the same time they initially bid for Anthony Gordon.
Newcastle are blessed in the wide positions but will need strength in depth next season regardless of which European competition they end up in. Barnes - who shares the same agency as Eddie Howe - had a price tag of £50million last summer but that may be reduced if Leicester are relegated.
Another long-term target that has came back on to the radar in recent days is Southampton set-piece specialist James Ward-Prowse. The Saints ace has been told he can quit the doomed South Coast club if relegation is confirmed.
England international Ward-Prowse would be another £50m price tag but his £100,000 weekly wage would fit into the Magpies' wage structure. Both Barnes and Maddison would also comfortably dovetail with the salaries on offer elsewhere in the squad unlike some of the more audacious targets Newcastle have been linked with.
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