Newcastle United transfer strategy revealed by potential England decision

Any eyebrows that may have been raised when Newcastle paid in excess of £50m to bring two young and relatively unproven full-backs to St James' Park are now firmly lowered.

Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall did not come cheap, but they represent a huge investment in Newcastle's future in an era when instant success seems to be demanded throughout football. United have been patient with Hall in particular, but are reaping the benefits of securing his signature, while Livramento has continued to kick on from his impressive first season on Tyneside.

Both have been rewarded for their efforts by call-ups to the England squad for the current international break, with Hall making his Three Lions debut against Greece on Thursday night. Livramento's first full cap can't be far away.

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The pair symbolise much about what Newcastle want the future to look like - and that offers significant hints about future transfer plans.

While the Magpies hierarchy are not averse to bringing in big names from abroad - Alexander Isak, Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Sven Botman are evidence of that - there has been a keen focus of bringing the best young English talent to St James' Park.

Anthony Gordon stands out as perhaps one of the most exciting young talents in this current England squad and, having just signed a new long-term contract wuth Newcastle, his best years look set to be spent on Tyneside.

Recent transfer interest further highlights United's intentions. Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi and Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford are both players Newcastle have had strong interest in over recent months. The Guehi saga played out over the summer, of course, and while it illustrated that Newcastle have their limits when it comes to price, they are still ready to invest heavily in English talent.

It's not too big a stretch of imagination to imagine a Newcastle defensive line of Trafford, Livramento, Guehi, Botman and Hall in the not too distant future. At 24, Guehi and Botman would be the 'senior' members of that line-up.

More recent transfer talk has seen United linked with Chelsea's Noni Madueke and new England sensation Angel Gomes as the trend continues. Madueke's form for Enzo Maresca's side has likely removed him from a list of potential targets, but the intent was there.

Newcastle will contine to look to find the best of the available talent from Europe, where they perhaps feel they can get more value for money, but make no mistake, the future on Tyneside could have a very exciting look to it.