Yasir Al-Rumayyan and Eddie Howe both want to secure a deal to bring Ross Wilson to Newcastle United as the club make a fresh attempt to land him.
Newcastle United have been without a sporting director since Paul Mitchell resigned from his post after less than a year in charge.
The position has been something of a poisoned chalice at St James’ Park, with previous incumbent Dan Ashworth not lasting very long either.
Still, Wilson is Newcastle’s first-choice for the sporting director role. It’s been a move that has been linked for a while now, although there has been no official new update.
However, it appears as if people behind the scenes on Tyneside are looking to get the deal wrapped up.
Ross Wilson in conversation during a Premier League game between Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Newcastle United make fresh move for Ross Wilson
According to The Chronicle, the club have made a fresh advanced attempt to bring Wilson to St James’.
Insiders are reportedly hopeful that it will happen soon, while the report adds further detail into PIF’s stance on the matter.
The Newcastle United owners have given the green light to Wilson’s appointment when an agreement can be reached with Forest.
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Chairman Al-Rumayyan wants to add Wilson to his staff at Newcastle, while Howe is said to have given his seal of approval.
It’s also said that, when the deal is done, Wilson will likely leave Forest on good terms. He could be in charge of transfer negotiations if and when he is appointed at Newcastle.
Eddie Howe is set to have wish granted by PIF at Newcastle United
Newcastle battled their way through a difficult summer transfer window with neither a CEO nor sporting director in place.
However, that’s changing now. David Hopkinson has been appointed as the club’s new CEO and it seems Wilson – despite a lack of official progress – will be named the new sporting director.
That should please the Newcastle United manager.
Indeed, Howe recently admitted he was “desperate” for Newcastle to appoint a new sporting director.
“I’m desperate for a sporting director,” he told a press conference before Saturday’s win over Wolves.
“We need that person, his expertise, it is a never-ending network.
“I had a very good relationship with Dan Ashworth, a very good relationship with Richard Hughes at Bournemouth. We need the right man and we need the position filled.”
Wilson is Forest’s Chief Football Officer and joined the club from Rangers in 2023.