If Newcastle United`s grandiose plan to become one of Europe`s big hitters is to come to fruition any time soon, what happens in the next few weeks could prove pivotal. Trapped in what appears to be a four-club relegation battle after only one win in their first 19 Premier League games of the season, their prospects would ordinarily look grim. 
But unlike bottom Norwich City, Burnley and Watford -- the three teams stuck in the mire with them -- Newcastle have an enormous transfer budget for the January window.

Since unpopular owner Mike Ashley`s reign was ended by a takeover by Saudi Arabia`s Public Investment Fund in October, the club`s fans have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of a posse of high-profile signings to ride in and save the day. Newcastle`s potential budget for new signings in January is reported to be as high as 200 million pounds ($270.86 million), keeping them in line with Financial Fair Play rules. And while in reality the outlay may not come close to that, such financial clout gives them a potentially huge advantage as they seek to maintain their top-flight status.

Identifying the right targets will be key, however, and fans will be encouraged by the seemingly imminent arrival of England full back Kieran Trippier from Atletico Madrid. Right back Trippier, who would cost around 12 million pounds according to British media, would represent a statement of intent from the club and help address the shortcomings in a Newcastle defence that has leaked 42 league goals so far -- a total matched only by Norwich. "I think (manager Eddie Howe) needs at least three or four (signings)," former striker Alan Shearer said last month. "Newcastle`s big issue at the minute is defensively. They`re nowhere near good enough those defenders that they`ve relied on for so long. They need a couple of defenders, someone with a bit of guile in the midfield and, also, someone to take the weight off Callum Wilson up front in terms of goals."

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While Trippier`s signing would represent solid business, the dilemma Newcastle face is whether to go for short term fixes to help stave off relegation or begin the process of laying the foundations for a sustained recovery. 
In an ideal world, manager Howe would prefer the latter option but will also be acutely aware that relegation could set the club`s plans back years, and could cost him his job. Tempting as the likes of Arsenal`s unsettled former skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Dele Alli might be, even on short-term loans, whether they would be best-suited for a relegation scrap is debatable.

Newcastle have also been linked to Burnley`s central defender James Tarkowski and Everton`s left back Lucas Digne as Howe looks to re-model his defence, although considering Newcastle`s new wealth, neither would be allowed to go cheaply.

While Newcastle`s current squad is clearly sub-standard, making wholesale changes is also risky. New signings need time to bed in but time is not a commodity Newcastle have in abundance. Unless results improve rapidly, they are likely to become the richest club in England`s second-tier.

If Newcastle United`s grandiose plan to become one of Europe`s big hitters is to come to fruition any time soon, what happens in the next few weeks could prove pivotal.

If Newcastle United`s grandiose plan to become one of Europe`s big hitters is to come to fruition any time soon, what happens in the next few weeks could prove pivotal. Trapped in what appears to be a four-club relegation battle after only one win in their first 19 Premier League games of the season, their prospects would ordinarily look grim. But unlike bottom Norwich City, Burnley and Watford -- the three teams stuck in the mire with them -- Newcastle have an enormous transfer budget for the January window. Since unpopular owner Mike Ashley`s reign was ended by a takeover by Saudi Arabia`s Public Investment Fund in October, the club`s fans have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of a posse of high-profile signings to ride in and save the day. Newcastle`s potential budget for new signings in January is reported to be as high as 200 million pounds ($270.86 million), keeping them in line with Financial Fair Play rules. And while in reality the outlay may not come close to that, such financial clout gives them a potentially huge advantage as they seek to maintain their top-flight status. Identifying the right targets will be key, however, and fans will be encouraged by the seemingly imminent arrival of England full back Kieran Trippier from Atletico Madrid. Right back Trippier, who would cost around 12 million pounds according to British media, would represent a statement of intent from the club and help address the shortcomings in a Newcastle defence that has leaked 42 league goals so far -- a total matched only by Norwich. "I think (manager Eddie Howe) needs at least three or four (signings)," former striker Alan Shearer said last month. "Newcastle`s big issue at the minute is defensively. They`re nowhere near good enough those defenders that they`ve relied on for so long. They need a couple of defenders, someone with a bit of guile in the midfield and, also, someone to take the weight off Callum Wilson up front in terms of goals." ALSO READ | Bengaluru FC, SC East Bengal share points after 1-1 draw in ISL While Trippier`s signing would represent solid business, the dilemma Newcastle face is whether to go for short term fixes to help stave off relegation or begin the process of laying the foundations for a sustained recovery. In an ideal world, manager Howe would prefer the latter option but will also be acutely aware that relegation could set the club`s plans back years, and could cost him his job. Tempting as the likes of Arsenal`s unsettled former skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Dele Alli might be, even on short-term loans, whether they would be best-suited for a relegation scrap is debatable. Newcastle have also been linked to Burnley`s central defender James Tarkowski and Everton`s left back Lucas Digne as Howe looks to re-model his defence, although considering Newcastle`s new wealth, neither would be allowed to go cheaply. While Newcastle`s current squad is clearly sub-standard, making wholesale changes is also risky. New signings need time to bed in but time is not a commodity Newcastle have in abundance. Unless results improve rapidly, they are likely to become the richest club in England`s second-tier.

England's Kieran Trippier could mark opening salvo in Newcastle United's escape bid

Raheem Sterling struck twice as England defeated Spain 3-2 in the UEFA Nations League on Monday. It was England's first victory on Spanish soil in the last 31 years.

Raheem Sterling struck twice as England defeated Spain 3-2 in the UEFA Nations League on Monday. It was England's first victory on Spanish soil in the last 31 years. Roughly 2,500 England supporters were among the more than 50,000 people in the stands at Seville's Benito Villamarin stadium to see the Three Lions deliver their best performance so far in the inaugural edition of the tournament. While the players couldn't wait to revel on social media after their terrific win, here is how they reacted: Captain Harry Kane posted a picture of himself on Instagram celebrating with teammates above the caption: "Big performance from the boys. Good pressing, clinical in front of goal and dug in." View this post on Instagram Big performance from the boys. Good pressing, clinical in front of goal and dug in. 👌 #ThreeLions #England 🦁🦁🦁 A post shared by Harry Kane (@harrykane) on Oct 15, 2018 at 2:14pm PDT × Kane's Tottenham Hotspur team-mate Kieran Trippier, who also played, opted for a photograph of himself with man of the match Raheem Sterling, scorer of two of England's goals. "That was a huge performance and a memorable night @England," Trippier wrote along with three lion emojis. View this post on Instagram That was a huge performance and a memorable night @England 🦁🦁🦁 A post shared by Kieran Trippier (@ktrippier2) on Oct 15, 2018 at 2:35pm PDT × Manchester City forward Sterling, whose opening goal was his first for England in three years, posted pictures of himself celebrating his two strikes which came either side of a goal from Marcus Rashford. "What an away team performance, against a very good Spain team... +3points !!," the 23-year-old wrote, which was quickly liked by Kane, Trippier and fellow starter Harry Winks. View this post on Instagram What an away team performance, against a very good Spain team 🦁🦁🦁 +3points !! A post shared by Raheem Sterling x 😇 (@sterling7) on Oct 15, 2018 at 2:41pm PDT × View this post on Instagram A post shared by Raheem Sterling x 😇 (@sterling7) on Oct 16, 2018 at 4:47am PDT × Rashford, who was set up for his goal by his captain, wrote underneath a picture of the frontline pair: "Link up like we've been working on in training @harrykane, great assist #threelions." View this post on Instagram Link up we’ve been working on in training @harrykane, great assist 🙌🏾 #ThreeLions A post shared by Marcus Rashford (@marcusrashford) on Oct 16, 2018 at 2:29am PDT × Liverpool defender Joe Gomez, after just his second start for the national team, paid tribute to the fans who made the trip to the Estadio Benito Villamarin and endured a nervy climax as Spain laid siege to England's goal in the dying minutes. View this post on Instagram Great win tonight away against a top team... thanks for all the support kept us going till the very end 🦁🦁🦁 A post shared by Joe Gomez (@joegomez5) on Oct 15, 2018 at 4:03pm PDT × "Great win tonight away against a top team... thanks for all the support kept us going till the very end," he wrote with a picture of the team lined up before the match. Aside from being a milestone win against one of the world's top teams, the victory also turns around England's fortunes in Group 4 of League A and gives them a chance of reaching the Nations League Finals next year. Spain still lead the group with six points after three games, while Gareth Southgate's side are second on four, leaving Croatia bottom with one point although the World Cup runners-up have a game in hand.

In pics: Here is how Harry Kane, Kieran Trippier, Marcus Rashford, Raheem Sterling react after England's victory over Spain

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England's Kieran Trippier could mark opening salvo in Newcastle United's escape bid

In pics: Here is how Harry Kane, Kieran Trippier, Marcus Rashford, Raheem Sterling react after England's victory over Spain