Newcastle United have leaped ahead of Tottenham in the race to sign a rising star, who has now also agreed to join the Magpies.
Newcastle set for challenging summer transfer window
It is shaping up to be a summer of significant change at St James' Park, and not all of it will be welcome.
Newcastle's underwhelming campaign has left the club in need of serious reinforcement, but before Eddie Howe can build, he may first have to deal with the consequences of losing some of his best players.
Anthony Gordon is the headline departure.
The 25-year-old winger has agreed personal terms with Bayern Munich, according to widespread reports, with the Bundesliga champions offering a five-year deal.
Gordon has been in outstanding form this season — 17 goals and five assists across all competitions, including 10 Champions League goals in 12 appearances that broke Alan Shearer's club record in the competition.
Newcastle are holding out for £75m, while Bayern's current valuation is rumoured to be closer to £60m.
A gap remains, but the direction of travel is clear.
He is not the only star whose future is uncertain.
Sandro Tonali's representatives have reportedly been laying the groundwork for an exit for weeks, with Arsenal, Manchester United, Juventus and Real Madrid all linked recently.
Tino Livramento's contract extension talks have stalled with two years remaining on his deal, and Arsenal, Liverpool and Bayern are all monitoring the 23-year-old right-back's situation.
It is against that backdrop of potential departures that Newcastle are quietly working on their own incoming business, and one deal appears to be moving quickly.
Newcastle in talks to sign Reims sensation Ewen Jaouen
According to Sky Sports Switzerland journalist Sacha Tavolieri, Reims goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen has reached an agreement in principle to join Newcastle this summer.
The 20-year-old Frenchman visited the club's training facilities two weeks ago, and the Magpies are now in talks with the Ligue 2 club over a deal worth £17m plus bonuses.
Jaouen has been one of the most impressive young goalkeepers in French football this season.
Standing at 6ft 6in, the Paris-born shot-stopper has been an ever-present for Reims, making 34 league appearances and keeping 15 clean sheets — a remarkable return for a player still in his teens for most of the campaign.
He turned 20 in December and is already a France Under-21 international, with a presence and composure that belies his age.
Newcastle are not the only Premier League club to have expressed interest.
L'Equipe reported earlier this month that Tottenham and Brighton have also been tracking Jaouen, with Spurs in particular looking to strengthen their goalkeeping options amid uncertainty over Guglielmo Vicario's future.
But Tavolieri's update suggests Newcastle have stolen a march on their rivals, with the 'impressive' talent having given his word to the Magpies after visiting the club in person.
The plan, according to reports, is for Jaouen to arrive as competition for Nick Pope rather than an immediate replacement.
Ramsdale's imminent departure leaves a vacancy for a number two, and Jaouen's long-term potential makes him a natural fit for a club looking to invest in youth while maintaining experience in the squad.
His contract at Reims runs until 2029, giving the French club a reasonable negotiating position, but their failure to win promotion to Ligue 1 this season means they are open to selling at the right price.
For Newcastle, it would be a statement of forward planning in a summer that threatens to be defined by departures.