Newcastle United are set to finalise their deal for Dan Ashworth – which could pave the way for Steve Hitchen to join Everton.
The Magpies have been chasing a director of football appointment ever since their takeover went through in October.
Many names were linked with the job, including Michael Emenalo, Ramon Planes and Jason Wilcox, but it’s Ashworth who will take the role.
On Monday, Ashworth stepped down from his post as technical director at Brighton and Hove Albion.
BBC Sport claim that Ashworth is now expected to become Newcastle’s director of football in the coming days.
That’s a major coup for Newcastle, and Everton may actually find themselves benefiting from Ashworth heading to Tyneside.
90Min did claim in January that Everton also wanted Ashworth, but his move opens up the possibility for Steve Hitchen to head to Goodison Park.
The Telegraph and The Guardian both reported last week that Everton and Newcastle were vying for Hitchen after he resigned at Tottenham.
Hitchen has left his role as Tottenham’s director of technical performance and is now looking set for a recruitment role with a Premier League rival.
Newcastle are now filling their director of football role with Ashworth, meaning they are seemingly out of the Hitchen race.
There is of course a chance that Hitchen takes on a different role to work with Ashworth, but that seems unlikely.
Part of the reason Hitchen wanted to leave Tottenham was a loss of control since the arrival of Fabio Paratici.
If Hitchen is to take on another job, he will likely want major control of transfers – and Everton can provide that.
Marcel Brands and Gretar Steinsson have both moved on, meaning Everton are desperate for somebody to come in and run their transfer business.
Former Liverpool man Hitchen could be the man, with Newcastle’s move for Ashworth seemingly leaving the Toffees in pole position.
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