From today, clubs across Europe are free to approach players with the aim of signing them on a pre-contract agreement.
Any player who plays their football outside the United Kingdom can begin to negotiate with English clubs to sign for them on expiration of their contract.
For Newcastle United’s new ownership, this could be the best way to sign some ‘marquee’ names, without having to fork out huge transfer fees.
But just who are available for Newcastle to approach to sign?
Here, using data provided by Transfermarkt, we take a look at 13 of the best players available to sign on a pre-contract agreement:
How many of these would you like to see at Newcastle United? Have we missed anyone out? Follow us on Twitter @MouthofTynePod and let us know there.
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9. Noussair Mazraoui
Ajax have nurtured and produced a plethora of fantastic players recently and Mazraoui is no different. He is one of the most exciting full-backs in world football and could be available on a free transfer in summer. Photo: Alex Grimm
10. Kylian Mbappe
Mbappe looks destined to be a Real Madrid player next season with Los Blancos preparing to swoop for the Frenchman on a free, however, with no deal finalised just yet, there are no guarantees about the striker’s future. Photo: ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT
11. Jason Denayer
Denayer has become one of the most solid and dependable centre-backs in all of Europe whilst at Lyon. Could the Belgian be on the move this month? Photo: Alex Grimm
12. Niklas Sule
It appears that Sule’s time at Bayern Munich is coming to an end and Newcastle United have been credited with an interest in the German. Could Sule swap the Allianz Arena for St James’s Park in the summer? Photo: Sebastian Widmann