The “Northern Notebook” is i‘s weekly look inside the biggest football clubs in the north of England, providing insight, analysis and news on the burning issues of the day
Newcastle United expect to sign three more senior players as they close in on their first summer signing – Reims striker Hugo Ekitike.
Aston Villa have made the first definitive – and impressive – moves in the transfer market but many are waiting to see what the Magpies intend to do, especially after agents and intermediaries in the game were told the club were working “to a budget”.
Ekitike had been wanted by Borussia Dortmund but Newcastle presented a detailed plan for his progression to his advisors and have been able to negotiate terms both with Reims and the player himself.
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The club also want a centre-back – they remain in contact with Lille over Sven Botman – and a winger. Moussa Diaby of Bayer Leverkusen is a priority target. Further incomings would depend on outgoings, with the club prepared to listen to offers for some of their first-team players including Matt Ritchie, Jamaal Lascelles – being linked to Nottingham Forest – and Dwight Gayle.
The club confirmed this week that Dan Ashworth has been appointed as the club’s first Sporting Director of the new era. That will not impact on the club’s transfer window, with much of the preparatory work done long in advance, but he is expected to piece an overarching strategy together, encompassing the club’s scouting, academy and women’s side.
One source at the club described it as a “Big Bang” moment for the new owners, putting a club builder with some of the best contacts in football at the head of their football operation.
Further additions are expected in administrative positions – with the loan department set to be bolstered and women’s team incorporated into the club’s setup during a busy summer. Improvements to the club’s use of data are also being looked at.
The club are also planning a number of commercial announcements in the coming weeks as new owners finally kick-start the revolution.
Everton dig heels in on Calvert-Lewin
Everton are determined to keep hold of Dominic Calvert-Lewin despite interest from Arsenal and Newcastle.
Calvert-Lewin’s representatives are understood to be assessing his options after an injury-hit campaign at Goodison Park and Everton, of course, need to raise funds if they are to rebuild the squad in the manner that Frank Lampard desires.
But Everton believe they can sell other players and will be able to create room in their budget with departures of big earners to be able to fund signings.
The club believe Calvert-Lewin is in the bracket below Harry Kane, who was priced at more than £100m by Tottenham last summer and have let it be known that they would not even entertain a conversation unless clubs are prepared to reflect that in their offers.
Indeed there’s a firm belief inside Goodison Park that he will kick off next season at Everton.
Premier League clubs struggling with South American market
Premier League clubs are struggling to make new Brexit rules work for them in unlocking the prized South American market.
Julian Alvarez is joining Manchester City this summer but other top-flight clubs keen to follow in their footsteps are finding the market more difficult to deal in.
One Premier League club looking to broker a deal for a defender from the Brazilian league described being gazumped and unable to work with a multitude of agents and middle men.
They claimed the need to be “embedded” in the market to tie up deals like that.
Sunderland poach scout from Blackburn
Sunderland head of recruitment Stuart Harvey has moved to strengthen the club’s scouting department by taking Matthew Barratt from former club Blackburn.
Barratt joins as senior scout and the club are also looking for a first-team performance analyst ahead of their return to the Championship. Promotion was a resounding result for their remodelled structure, which leant heavily on innovation and data.
Meanwhile, the Black Cats hope to resolve their ownership by the end of the month with an investment group ready to buy out the shares of minority owners Stewart Donald and Charlie Methven.
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