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Newcastle United are continuing to press ahead aggressively in the transfer market despite the unexpected departure of manager Eddie Howe.

The Magpies are expected to appoint Al-Ahli head coach Matthias Jaissle as Howe’s replacement, but there is still significant work to be done on the squad with only three weeks remaining before the Premier League season begins.

Jaissle is set to take charge of a group that already includes new arrivals Bazoumana Toure, Aladji Bamba, Sean Steur and Ewan Jaouen, each representing a major investment in his own right, although none of them is older than 20.

Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali have both been sold during this summer window, boosting Newcastle’s spending capacity but also leaving the club with major repair work to complete before the market closes.

A possible sale of captain Bruno Guimaraes to Arsenal would increase that pressure even more, and Newcastle’s problems have been worsened by a number of missed transfer targets, though the goalkeeper position now appears close to being sorted.

The Magpies were among several Premier League clubs linked with Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki. His future had been put on hold because of the World Cup, and the Japan international is understood to be close to joining Juventus.

Czech Republic goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek is now set to become Jaissle’s first-choice keeper after Newcastle reached an agreement with Portuguese club Braga to activate his release clause.

“Newcastle have agreed to meet Hornicek’s €30 million (£24.5m / $34.3m) release clause, with the move now advancing towards completion as the Magpies continue their summer overhaul between the posts,” reported Graeme Bailey for TEAMtalk.

“We understand that Newcastle’s recruitment team have been monitoring the 24-year-old for well over a year, identifying him as one of Europe’s most promising young goalkeepers as they planned a major revamp of their goalkeeping department.

“Hornicek’s impending arrival will pave the way for long-serving goalkeeper Nick Pope to leave St James’ Park.”

Hornicek joined Braga at youth level after a successful trial and quickly rose into first-team football. He played 17 league matches in 2024-25, but last season proved to be his true breakthrough as he made 33 league appearances and was ever-present while Braga reached the Europa League semi-finals.

The 24-year-old has represented Czech Republic at every age-group level from under-16 onwards and was handed his senior debut in the win over Kosovo during the build-up to World Cup 2026.

Hornicek was included in Miroslav Koubek’s squad but did not play in the tournament, which ended in severe disappointment after two defeats and one draw.

Newcastle’s Premier League campaign begins with a home match against Liverpool on Sunday, August 23.