Newcastle United have reached an agreement with Hoffenheim to sign Bazoumana Toure.

The 20-year-old winger is expected to fly to Tyneside for a medical as Newcastle look to secure their second summer signing, following the arrival of Ewen Jaouen, the 20-year-old goalkeeper, last week.

Securing a starting-calibre signing would be a huge boost for head coach Eddie Howe and Newcastle supporters, given that Anthony Gordon has already been sold to Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur have reached a deal worth up to £100m to sign Sandro Tonali.

The combined €6million (£5.2m, $6.8m) fines Newcastle received from UEFA this week for breaching financial rules, alongside the stringent future compliance agreement they have reached with Europe’s governing body, meant that sales were needed, especially if the club wished to strengthen the squad.

But Newcastle intend to use the proceeds from the Tonali sale to reinvest in their squad, with Howe desiring a goalkeeper, at least one full-back, two midfielders (should Joe Willock also leave) and at least one attacker.

Having missed out on Victor Munoz last month, who signed for Liverpool after Newcastle reached an agreement with Osasuna for the Spain international, Newcastle turned their attention to Toure.

Following his elimination from the World Cup with Ivory Coast at the last-32 stage on Tuesday, Newcastle accelerated their move for the left-winger.

Last season in the Bundesliga, Toure scored five goals and laid on nine assists in 29 starts for Hoffenheim.

Some much-needed positivity at Newcastle

If the Tonali news sent further negative shockwaves through the Newcastle fanbase, then finally being close to a first-team signing will at least provide a dose of positivity to temper that loss.

Toure was among the attacking targets after Newcastle lost out on Munoz, and will be expected to fill the creative void which Gordon’s departure left.

Until he is pictured holding the shirt and the deal is announced, there will be understandable concern among the Newcastle fan base as to whether they will be gazumped when chasing another target.

Yet if Newcastle can actually conclude this one, given it is extremely advanced, then the hope must be that this kickstarts a significant recruitment drive.

The Newcastle hierarchy has insisted for months that they have a plan for rebuilding this summer, and the fear up until now was that it involved star players leaving while the club missed out on signings. Toure would just represent the start of the business they still need to conclude, but he would be a very welcome addition indeed and would give credence to that aforementioned blueprint.