Dan Ashworth spotted watching top NUFC target on Saturday afternoon - Transfer talks to follow?

Call me sad, but I decided to spend my Saturday afternoon watching Sven Botman in action, with the heavily linked defender starting for Holland U21's in their Euro qualifier against Wales.

The 5pm kick off is being streamed live on Youtube and the big man impressed before he was withdrawn at half-time.

Then, midway through the second half, the camera panned to the stands. Who did I see? Newcastle United's newly appointed sporting director, Dan Ashworth!

Here's a screenshot of the former Brighton man in the stands in Wales, with it fair to presume that he was present to watch Botman in action:

This comes less than 24 hours after a pretty significant update emerged on the Lille defender's future, with Sky Italy reporting last night that AC Milan are pursuing other options after failing to match Newcastle's mammoth bid.

Whether that's true or not, hopefully Ashworth's presence is a sign that we really are closing in on a move for the 6ft 5' Dutchman.

If there's still work to be done - which may well be the case - let's hope the former England man can sell him a summer move to St James' Park, especially now he's in the UK.

Elsewhere, Kieran Trippier starts for England in tonight's Nations League clash with Italy at Molineux, seeing him operate at left-back once again following that 1-1 draw in Germany earlier this week.