The summer transfer window looks destined to be a big one for Newcastle United.

While the Magpies now look set to be safe from relegation from the Premier League - sitting nine points clear of the bottom three with four games - that is still some way short of what they would have been hoping for this season.

As a result, it would be something of a surprise if there was not to be some significant change in the playing squad this summer, as Newcastle look to avoid a repeat of this situation next season, while other clubs may develop an interest in some of the Magpies top performers from the campaign so far.

Here, we've taken a look at nine transfer developments we could so coming out of St James' Park in the next few months, once the summer transfer window has opened.

One link we could see develop at Newcastle is Celtic defender Kristoffer Ajer, who is reportedly a potential target for the Magpies as he enters the final 12 months of his contract at Parkhead.

However, newly crowned Championship title winners Norwich are also said to be interested in the 23-year-old, meaning Newcastle could have a battle on their hands for the Norwegian's signature.

One player who has been key to Newcastle's survival this season is Allan Saint-Maximim, with the mercurial attacker making some key contributions in front of goal.

That however, may well attract interest in the Frenchman from other clubs, with manager Steve Bruce admitting as much, although the Newcastle boss has insisted the club do not want to be selling their best players this summer.

One former player who may yet make a return to St James' Park this summer, is Blackburn striker Adam Armstrong.

The former Newcastle academy graduate has been in prolific form near enough ever since he left the Magpies for Ewood Park in January 2018, and the Premier League side have been linked with a move to bring the 24-year-old back to St James', where a sell-on clause included in the deal that took Armstrong to Blackburn could now work in their favour in terms of winning the battle for his signature, reducing the price they might have to pay in comparison to other interested clubs.

Even if Armstrong does not return to Newcastle this summer, the club will surely be keen to add some attacking firepower to their ranks this summer.

While Callum Wilson has shown he can score goals for the Magpies, his injuries this season have reduced the club's threat in front of goal considerably, and Newcastle may want to bring in some extra proven Premier League goalscorers when the market reopens, to avoid that happening again.

At the other end of the pitch, Newcastle may have a decision to make with regards to their goalkeepers.

Both Martin Dubravka and Karl Darlow have shown this season they are capable of being first-choice between the posts at top-flight level, something both will surely want to do. But given only one can do that at St James', the Magpies may have to move one on to help them achieve that aim, and avoid any dressing room distractions.

Another goalkeeper Newcastle could have to make a call over when the transfer market reopens, is Freddie Woodman.

The 24-year-old has impressed on loan for Swansea over the past two seasons, and may now want to establish himself permanently at a particular club. If Swansea win promotion via the play-offs, they may well be keen to give him the chance to do that, and a return to the Premier League could put them in a strong position to do so.

One player currently on loan at Newcastle who we may well hear more about this summer, is Joe Willock.

The 21-year-old has scored four goals in just ten games since joining on a temporary basis from Arsenal late in the winter window, and Bruce has already admitted that he would like to bring the attacker back to St James' Park for next, which is no huge surprise given the impact he has made in recent weeks.

Another player whose future Newcastle will be keen to address in the near future, is Jacob Murphy.

The winger is another who has played an important role in helping Bruce's side towards safety over the past few weeks, and it now seems as though the Magpies are in a race to secure his long-term services as his contract enters its final 12 months, with the club reportedly holding talks over a new deal for the 26-year-old, amid rumoured interest from Watford and Burnley.

Two other players who could be in a similar position to Murphy with regards to their Newcastle contracts, are the Longstaff brothers.

With little more than a year remaining on their current contracts, the Magpies may well be keen to secure longer-term agreements for Matty and Sean, to ensure they do not lose two players with plenty of potential for a reduced fee, or even nothing when their current deals expires at the end of next season.