With news of Newcastle United's takeover set to be confirmed today, we take a look at how they could line up after being bankrolled by a controversial Saudi Arabian takeover.
The long-awaited £300 million deal to buy the club from Sports Direct tycoon Mike Ashley will be announced imminently, and the Toon Army hope that this signals a bright new dawn on Tyneside.
Allan Saint-Maximin added to the hype with a brilliant tweet that sums up the excitement in the north east right now, and the Frenchman could be joined by a stellar cast at St James' Park.
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So inspired by The Sun's speculative line-up, we have decided to have a go ourselves for a bit of fun on a Thursday afternoon!
Saint-Maximin is surely a shoe-in to keep his place in the Magpies' line-up given his popularity on Tyneside and for a series of impressive performances to light up an otherwise dismal start to the season.
Jamal Lascelles has kept his place in the heart of Newcastle's backline, while Joe Willock has made a big impression since arriving at the club from Arsenal and is a player with brilliant potential for the future.
Callum Wilson has averaged almost a goal every other game with 14 strikes in 31 appearances for the Magpies to date, so he stays in. Much is also expected of 23-year-old defender Jamal Lewis, so he also keeps his place.
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Sean Longstaff is another homegrown darling on Tyneside, and is included in this speculative team, alongside Willock and England midfielder Jude Bellingham. The 18-year-old featured in an intriguing bet, which involves Newcastle signing either him or Mohamed Salah, Paul Pogba, Raheem Sterling, Erling Haaland, or Kylian Mbappe next summer with odds of 4/1. Stranger things have happened, and Bellingham may look to follow Jadon Sancho's footsteps in making a return to English football.
Elsewhere, we feel the newly-rich Magpies could bring in new Spain number one, Unai Simón from Atlético Madrid. With a market value of £18 million and aged just 24, it could be money very well spent.
Talking of Atlético Madrid, Kieran Trippier was previously linked with a Premier League return and may now be tempted to do so at St James' Park.
Arthur Theate is a left-field prediction for the line-up, but the 21-year-old Belgian is progressing along nicely in his loan spell at Bologna and has been included as a late addition in Roberto Martinez's Belgium squad for their UEFA Nations League semi-final clash with France.
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Finally, Barcelona forward Ousmane Dembélé's contract at Barcelona expires next summer and is yet to agree a new deal at the Camp Nou. Could he add fresh impetus to a forward line including Wilson and Saint-Maximin?
Whatever happens, it is going to be intriguing to see who the new Newcastle hierarchy brings through the doors!
Newcastle Fantasy XI: Simón; Trippier, Lascelles, Theate, Lewis; Bellingham, Longstaff, Willock; Dembélé, Wilson, Saint-Maximin.
Topics: Jude Bellingham, Kieran Trippier, Ousmane Dembélé’, Premier League, Allan Saint-Maximin, Newcastle United
