Dan Ashworth may have to wait until NOVEMBER before taking over as Newcastle’s sporting director after being placed on gardening leave following Brighton exit – in blow to Magpies ahead of summer transfer window
- Newcastle have been dealt a blow in their bid to appoint Dan Ashworth as chief
- Magpies may have to wait until November with Ashworth on gardening leave
- Boss Eddie Howe and Amanda Staveley will now preside over transfer window
Dan Ashworth could be made to wait until November before taking up his role as Newcastle United sporting director.
The 51-year-old resigned as Brighton’s technical director in February – he has since been on gardening leave – and negotiations over his release to begin work at St James’ Park are continuing between the clubs.
However, unless there is significant progress, sources say a start date as late as November is looking likely.
Newcastle may not be able to appoint Dan Ashworth as sporting director until November
Transfer business will now be handled by Eddie Howe (L) and director Amanda Staveley (R)
That would leave chief scout Steve Nickson, co-owner Amanda Staveley and head coach Eddie Howe to oversee summer spending, as was the case in January. Given Ashworth’s remit will be far broader than simply recruitment, club sources are relaxed about that scenario should it be the case.
A new chief executive is also expected to be appointed before the end of the season, while intermediaries say Nicky Hammond, a consultant brought in on a short-term basis in December, is continuing to take calls on Newcastle matters, even if that is in an informal capacity.
Meanwhile, the club’s scouting team will hold a series of meetings this week to organise summer targets. We understand positions up for discussion are goalkeeper, centre-back, central midfield, winger and striker.
The club are still in negotiations with Brighton to release the former England chief from his period of gardening leave having quit the Seagulls in February
The goalkeepers mentioned include Arsenal’s Bernd Leno, West Bromwich Albion’s Sam Johnstone, Manchester United’s Dean Henderson and Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizabalaga, although the latter is seen as a loan option.
RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol, the 20-year-old Croatian, will have no shortage of suitors but is expected to be part of discussions this week, as will Bournemouth’s Lloyd Kelly.
Midfielders under consideration are said to include Brighton’s Yves Bissouma and Leeds star Kalvin Phillips, with wingers Brennan Johnson, of Nottingham Forest, and Bayer Leverkusen’s Moussa Diaby also on the list.
In attack, meanwhile, Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Benfica’s Darwin Nunez, Leverkusen’s Patrik Schick and Alexander Isak of Real Sociedad are among the targets.
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