NEWCASTLE UNITED are on the verge of landing their third signing of the summer after Chelsea winger Kenedy completed his medical on Tyneside.

The Brazilian has been one of the top names on Newcastle’s list of targets since the end of last season but it has been difficult to pull off a permanent deal.

Chelsea, though, have agreed to let him return to St James’ Park on a season long loan, having impressed during his initial switch in the second of last season.

There is not thought to be a clause in the deal that will automatically trigger a full-time switch at the end of it.

But the fact Kenedy is a Newcastle player for all of next season is a huge boost to Rafael Benitez who has been keen to bring in two wingers.

Andros Townsend remains on the radar too but Crystal Palace are not willing to consider selling unless an offer in the region of £20m is tabled.

If Benitez thinks a second wide-man is on the cards then the likelihood is that Matt Ritchie will be granted permission to complete a £14m move to Stoke City.

Kenedy and Martin Dubravka both impressed after signing for Newcastle on loan in January and now Benitez has ensured both will be still playing for the club in August.

Ki Sung-Yueng is Newcastle’s other signing of the summer and Benitez will have them all on the pre-season trip to Ireland.

During his time on the outskirts of Dublin he hopes to have heard further good news from managing director Lee Charnley as he waits to hear if attempts to land a striker are working.

Nice’s Alassane Plea was a main target but it has been claimed that Newcastle are on the verge of missing out on him.

Plea, also wanted by other Premier League clubs, is closing in on a move to Borussia Monchengladbach, while Dortmund have also made a late move. It has been claimed in France that he has decided the Bundesliga is now his preferred destination.

Newcastle have always stood a better chance of landing West Brom’s Salomon Rondon, although with Aleksndar Mitrovic and Dwight Gayle available at the right price there is a need for a second new forward too.

What Benitez is keen to do is keen to keep Newcastle captain Jamaal Lascelles.

The former Nottingham Forest defender has been the subject of an offer worth in the region of £25m from West Ham.

The Hammers have identified Lascelles as the centre-back they want to improve Manuel Pellegrini’s squad but have been told to forget about signing him.

Lascelles is a huge figure in the Newcastle dressing room and is seen as the ideal leader to help the club move forward.

He is under contract until 2023 having signed a new deal last season, so Newcastle are in a strong position knowing he is also not looking to leave.

But Lascelles has also been interesting Everton, among others, and Newcastle fully expect to hear more between now and the end of the transfer window.

Newcastle will do what they can to keep hold of their captain, although it was widely reported earlier in the summer that they would have to consider bids in the region of £50m.