Newcastle United fans were paying close attention to Liverpool's visit to Leicester City, for obvious reasons, on Monday night. As such many of the Geordie faithful caught a glimpse of Magpies sporting director Dan Ashworth taking in the Premier League clash from the comfort of the King Power stands.
Of course, it is no surprise to see Newcastle's hierarchy playing close attention to that top flight clash in particular. Liverpool, who recorded an impressive 3-0 win in front of Ashworth, have found form at the right time with seven wins on the spin to move within a solitary point of Newcastle and Manchester United in the nail-biting race for a place at Europe's top table.
Leicester, on the other hand, are now all but nailed on to succumb to relegation after almost a decade of top flight success. Dean Smith's struggling side travel to Tyneside on Monday night knowing their fate could be sealed under the St James' Park lights.
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The club's exit from Premier League would be a sad day for the league. After all, they did pull off one of the biggest underdog stories in footballing history, treating us to the delights of 'Dilly Ding, Dilly Dong', Jamie Vardy and his unrelenting s***housery and the sight of *checks notes* Wes Morgan lifting the Premier League trophy in the process.
But for Newcastle, and other teams striving to succeed in the hardest league in the world, Leicester's implosion is a huge chance to poach some top class talent on the cheap. There is added incentive for Newcastle to relegate Smith's men on Monday - and it is no doubt why Ashworth was casting his eye over proceedings in person this week.
There are a number of Leicester players who would improve this - already overachieving - Newcastle team. James Maddison has, and will continue to be linked with a move to the north east despite speculation surrounding a preferred move to the capital.
The attacking midfielder, who Newcastle chased hard last summer, will have plenty of suitors when the transfer window hurtles back around. "I have full respect for him and his abilities. I have seen him grow from a Football League player to a Premier League player," Eddie Howe said of Maddison last year.
If Newcastle are looking for a new wide man over the summer months, they could do a lot worse than Harvey Barnes too. The 25-year-old has been a constant source of goals and assists in recent years but has failed, along with Maddison, to work his magic this time around.
"All the lads who are out of contract at the end of the season, or whatever their situation, none of them want to leave this club in a worse position," Barnes said of Leicester's plight recently. "That is not how anyone wants to leave. Nobody wants to leave on a bad note."
It's no surprise, despite his solitary England cap, to see Barnes linked with the likes of Tottenham and Arsenal for mega money. Newcastle have also been speculatively linked in months gone by.
Then there is Youri Tielemans. Out of contract in the summer and hoping to once again ply his trade in Europe's premier competition. Another for Newcastle to target?
Monday's lethargic loss to Liverpool maybe wasn't the ideal game for Ashworth to attend. But the club will have done their homework on each of the aforementioned players and more ahead of what promises to be a hectic summer on Tyneside.
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