Newcastle: PIF adviser 'still working in background' at St James' Park

Newcastle United still have Nick Hammond ‘working in the background’ after helping to bring some big-name signings to St James’ Park in January, according to Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie.

The Magpies entered a new era when the Saudi Arabia-based Public Investment Fund completed a £305million takeover last October and they enlisted the help of Hammond as they headed into their first transfer window at the helm.

Newcastle appointed Hammond as a transfer consultant just a matter of weeks before the winter window opened for business.

The move paid off, with the Magpies going on to become Europe’s biggest spenders before the deadline at the end of January.

The likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Chris Wood and Kieran Trippier came through the St James’ Park door and, having been in a relegation dogfight for large periods of the campaign, an upturn in form since the turn of the year has resulted in Eddie Howe’s side ensuring they will remain in the Premier League.

Hammond has revealed he was approached by the new-look Newcastle hierarchy in November and warned the upcoming January transfer window would be the ‘hardest transfer window’ they will encounter.

The 54-year-old headed to Tyneside having previously worked behind the scenes at Celtic, West Bromwich Albion and Reading.

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Although Hammond originally signed a short-term deal to advise the Newcastle owners, Downie believes he is still offering assistance.

The Sky Sports reporter understands Hammond was not directly involved in completing transfers in January but did offer help ahead of the winter window.

Downie told GIVEMESPORT: “I think he’s still working away in the background,