Newcastle United news: Dan Ashworth starts work amid talk of Milan sides wanting Magpies target

Here are the latest Newcastle United evening headlines on Monday, June 6.

The Magpies have today firmly announced the appointment of Dan Ashworth as the clubs new Sporting Director. The 51-year-old has recently left his previous role at Brighton and Hove Albion.

The former FA employee has overseen England's transition from the grassroots level before steadying the ship at fellow Premier League club Brighton more recently. He will began work immediately tasked with honing in on advancing the club off the field.

A statement from the club upon his appointment, read: “Newcastle United are delighted to announce that Dan Ashworth will become the club’s sporting director after an agreement was reached with Brighton & Hove Albion to release him from his current contractual obligations with immediate effect."

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Newcastle United have joined the race to sign Empoli midfielder Kristjan Asllani this summer. That is according to journalist Alfredo Pedulla, via Sport Witness, who also claims that Serie A giants AC Milan and Inter Milan are two other clubs keen on Asllani.

The Magpies look set to be in the market for a new midfielder this summer, with numerous other names having already been linked. The likes of Lucas Paqueta, Kalvin Phillips and Adrien Rabiot have all also been mentioned as potential targets, though a move for Asllani would indicate a change in their transfer approach.

Newcastle are close to securing their first signing of the summer with Reims striker Hugo Ekitike on the verge of joining. Ekitike is a 19-year-old attacker regarded as one of the most highly rated youngsters in France after netting 10 league goals in his first full season in Ligue 1.

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