Newcastle identify four top targets to replace Dan Ashworth - Report

Newcastle United have hired world renowned consultants Odgers Berndtson to find a new sporting director following Dan Ashworth's exit.

According to Craig Hope of the Daily Mail, the firm have already reached out to a number of potential candidates who have been identified as some of the leading options for the role.

Those names include former Monaco sporting director Paul Mitchell, Brentford director of football Phil Giles, Brentford technical director Lee Dykes and former Roma sporting director Tiago Pinto.

Pinto left Roma in January, and has been out of work ever since. It was also reported that current Newcastle head of recruitment Steve Nickson could be shifted into a new role should a backroom restructure take place.

Ashworth entered a period of gardening leave in February following interest from Manchester United. Since then, the search has been underway to find his successor.

The two clubs are yet to agree a compensation fee for Ashworth, Newcastle would reportedly allow the 52-year-old to join imminently should a fee in the region of £15million be agreed.