George Caulkin has been speaking on Pod on the Tyne about where Newcastle United are in their pursuit of Dan Ashworth.
It was reported several weeks ago that Ashworth was leaving Brighton & Hove Albion for an unnamed Premier League club, only for it to later come out that Newcastle United were in talks with the Seagulls over cutting Ashworth’s gardening leave short so he could start working on Tyneside.
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Ashworth had been with Brighton since 2019 and made several top signings in the form of Leandro Trossard, Adam Webster and Neal Maupay, as well as overseeing the opening of a new training centre for the women’s team.
It appears that PIF could be close to landing their first hierarchical appointment since taking over the club, and Caulkin gave his thoughts.
He said: “I think we’re in endgame status, I don’t think there’s anything to worry about. Yes, we know he’s on gardening leave at Brighton and has a notice period, which he either has to see out or has to be negotiated by Newcastle. Those talks are taking place.
“In terms of him joining Newcastle, I think everything’s there, I think everything’s ready to go, no problems with that. It’s just about finding an agreement with Brighton.”
TIF Thoughts on Ashworth’s imminent appointment…
It has also been reported by Fabrizio Romano that Ashworth would be joining Newcastle and it would be a major step forward in PIF changing the landscape of the club for the better, as he could provide a keen eye for spotting and developing young prospects, given he has been head of elite development at the FA.
The Magpies made a risky decision to go through the January transfer window without a director of football, but appear to have done very well all things considered, with the likes of Dan Burn and Kieran Trippier having made instant impacts on Tyneside and been big parts of their recent great run of form.
In other news: ‘It’s going to be’ – Chris Waugh drops Trippier return timeline at NUFC after ‘positive’ update