Newcastle United finally look set to secure Brighton and Hove Albion technical director Dan Ashworth on a deal until 2026.
That’s according to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, who claims that the deal is now on the verge of being completed.
Newcastle asked for permission to speak to Ashworth in December, targeting him as their top choice to become their director of football.
Sure, other candidates like Michael Emenalo and Ramon Planes were linked, but Ashworth has been the top choice for a couple of months now.
Ashworth then tendered his resignation from Brighton earlier this month, with BBC Sport indicating that a move to Newcastle was imminent.
Worryingly, The Athletic then claimed that Newcastle and Brighton were far apart in their valuation of Ashworth, meaning he could have been forced to see out his notice period.
However, Romano now claims that Ashworth is Newcastle-bound and will be signing a four-year deal to take the reins at St James’ Park.
Romano even claims that Ashworth is already focused on summer signings for Newcastle, a major indication that his move is now close.
Newcastle did sign a Brighton player in January, but it’s understood that Ashworth played no part in the talks for Dan Burn’s transfer.
What’s very interesting is that Ashworth may already have his first Newcastle move in mind.
The Daily Mail claim that Newcastle are looking to raid Brighton for their academy coach John Morling.
Ashworth has worked closely with Morling for a number of years and a reunion at Newcastle certainly makes sense.
Of course, the focus will be on transfers and which players Ashworth can bring to Brighton, but the former FA director will be looking to overhaul Newcastle and get them moving forward – just as he did with the Seagulls.
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