Newcastle finally close to appointing new sporting director after another summer saga?

Away from new signings, there is a key question waiting to be answered by Newcastle United. Who is going to be our new sporting director over six weeks on from news of Paul Mitchell's departure.

We've been hearing whispers for weeks, and it seems the club is still sifting through candidates to find the right fit for our beloved black and white.

The rumour mill has been churning, and the two names consistently at the top of the list are Ross Wilson from Nottingham Forest and Jason Ayto, formerly of Arsenal. These aren't new names to those of you who've been keeping up, with it seeming as though the pair are in a straight shootout for the vacancy.

It's good to hear that Eddie Howe has been properly involved in this process, unlike the Paul Mitchell debacle last summer (we all know how that ended up, don't we?). Apparently, recruitment specialists Nolan Partners are leading the charge in the search, making sure we get the right man for the job.

There was a bit of chatter about Julian Ward from Liverpool also being in the mix, but it seems he's pulled out of the running. So, that leaves us with Wilson, Ayto, and the mention of a mysterious third candidate by Craig Hope.

However, according to a report from talkSPORT, Ross Wilson is the leading contender and in pole position to land the job. They report that the last round of interviews are underway, suggesting a final decision should not be far away.

Howe is thought to be an admirer of Wilson; the 41-year-old Scot who has previously worked at Rangers and Southampton.

We should hear more soon, but I wouldn't get your hopes up for an immediate appointment that will see someone swoop in and take over our transfer dealings this window.

With Mitchell departing at the end of June, the current setup of Eddie Howe, Steve Nickson, and Andy Howe is firmly in place, and they'll be steering the ship for the bulk of this summer's business.

The hope is that, this time, everyone at the club is singing from the same hymn sheet, ensuring a smooth and unified direction for Newcastle United after too many coming and goings over the past two years, seeing Ashworth and Mitchell depart no sooner had they signed up to long-term projects.