For all the talk of who may be signing for Newcastle United this summer, it’s obvious the club need a sporting director.

While current head of recruitment Steve Nickson may be the man entrusted with the role of overseeing the club’s summer transfer business, there’s little doubt the departure of Dan Ashworth was not necessarily in the plan for owners PIF.

Indeed, Ashworth remains on gardening leave as Manchester United continue to attempt to pull together a compensation package worthy of making Newcastle allow him to leave any time soon.

It’ll be fascinating to see where Newcastle go next.

There is reportedly a hope a new face will be through the door before the end of May amid suggestions former Tottenham and Monaco guru Paul Mitchell was the frontrunner.

Still, there could be movement in regards to another reported target.

Newcastle identify new leading candidate as their sporting director

Earlier this week, TBR Football expert Graeme Bailey confirmed the club’s interest in Crystal Palace sporting director, Dougie Freedman, to Geordie Boot Boys.

Now, reports from the Daily Mail suggest the former Scotland international is in fact the preferred choice at St James’ Park.

In fact, it’s even said by some sources that the job is now Freedman’s to reject, although there is no official agreement just yet.

Man United are also thought to be interested and compensation for either club is not deemed to be much of a problem.

How good a sporting director is Dougie Freedman?

Palace certainly have a good track record in picking up developing young talent. Michael Olise, Marc Guehi and Eberechi Eze have all impressed at Selhurst Park, while January signing Adam Wharton looks like following a similar trajectory.

Speaking on talkSPORT earlier this year, pundit and former Palace chairman hailed Freedman as a “very clever” operator.

It seems Newcastle could do a lot worse than Freedman…

Related Topics