Newcastle transfer news: 'Shrewd operator' - Magpies on verge of making 'big signing'

Dan Ashworth would be a coup signing for Newcastle United if the Magpies succeed in appointing him as their new director of football, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Tynesiders have been looking to welcome a director of football to St James’ Park for a prolonged period of time and it looks as though they are edging towards securing the services of their preferred candidate.

Newcastle’s pursuit of Ashworth took a dramatic turn when he resigned from his position as Brighton & Hove Albion’s technical director earlier this week.

That has led to reports that Ashworth is expected to be appointed as the Magpies’ director of football, while it has also been claimed the 50-year-old is in advanced talks with the club’s hierarchy.

However, it is understood that Brighton are holding out for a substantial compensation package to allow Ashworth to cut short his notice period in order to head to St James’ Park.

It comes after Ashworth’s decision to quit the Seagulls has resulted in him beginning an extended period of gardening leave.

Ashworth initially held talks with Newcastle last month thanks to Brighton giving their Premier League rivals permission to interview their then-technical director.

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O’Rourke feels luring Ashworth to Newcastle would be a statement of intent from the club’s owners, led by the Saudi Arabia-based Public Investment Fund.

The journalist reckons the Football Association’s former director of elite development would play a key role in putting a strategy in place when it comes to future additions to head coach Eddie Howe’s squad.

O’Rourke told GIVEMESPORT: “I think Dan Ashworth would be a big signing for Newcastle if he comes in from Brighton.

“He’s