A massive update has emerged in Newcastle's search for a director of football...

What's the talk?

Daily Mail reporter Craig Hope has revealed that the former FA chief will pen a deal with the Magpies to work with Eddie Howe at St. James' Park.

PIF brought in Nick Hammond on a short-term move in December to assist the club in the January transfer window and they are now set to provide a long-term solution to that position with the ex-Seagulls supremo.

Hope Tweeted: "Understand Dan Ashworth will join NUFC after resigning from his role as Brighton technical director."

He followed that up with: "Ashworth was offered the Newcastle role on Friday & club hope to confirm his appointment in due course."

PIF masterclass

This is a major piece of news and represents a masterclass from PIF as they are on the verge of pinching a huge part of Brighton's success in recent years.

Seagulls journalist Aden-Jay Wood previously Tweeted: "If Dan Ashworth goes (which I think he will), it will be a huge shame. Ashworth has almost singlehandedly changed Brighton’s approach both on and off the field and would be very, very difficult to replace."

Wood's comment suggests that the Englishman will be able to sculpt Newcastle's future on the pitch and off it, working alongside Howe - leaving the former Bournemouth boss delighted. The Magpies head coach will surely love to work with a sporting director of Ashworth's pedigree, much like Gareth Southgate did with England.

The Three Lions boss once showered him with praise for his work with the national team set-up, as he created a winning culture throughout the ranks, saying:

"I told Dan (Ashworth) as we walked in that he should feel really proud. The last time we came to one of these it was in St Petersburg three years ago but this time we walked in as world champions at U17 and U20 and we've been to a seniors' semi-final, so we deserve our place at the table.

"That is a great credit to everyone involved, the backing the FA has given us in building St George's Park and investing in the teams, to the work being done in youth development and to Dan in particular for putting those plans in place, which we have seen pay off for Spain, Germany and France. It's up to us now to continue the work that's been started."

Since joining Brighton in 2019, Ashworth has overseen 16th and 15th-placed finishes in the Premier League. The south coast side is currently ninth in the table as it stands and this highlights the excellent work he has done at the AMEX, helping the club to continually progress.

This is why bringing him in will represent a masterclass from PIF as they have been able to secure a top-quality appointment from a Premier League rival who's well ahead of them in the table. It shows the pull they have as an ownership group, as they have been able to tempt him away from what looks - on paper - to be an excellent job for him.

Howe will now be buzzing to work with him ahead of the summer transfer window when they will hopefully be looking to build on a successful relegation battle.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Burn: Howe must now unleash "big" NUFC gem who's massively "underrated"...