Here are the Newcastle United evening headlines on Monday, May 30.
Ashworth confirmed as Toon sporting director
Newcastle confirmed the arrival of Dan Ashworth as the club's new sporting director earlier this evening. The statement regarding his appointment revealed that the Magpies came to an agreement with Brighton over a compensation package for, what is likely to be, the most important signing of the summer at St James' Park.
It is a move that won't come as a particular surprise to the Toon Army who were aware that the club have been in pursuit of the 51-year-old for a few months since he announced he would be leaving Brighton. Formerly the director of elite development at the FA, Ashworth comes with great pedigree following the strong work he has done at the Amex Stadium in the three years he spent there.
Now that his arrival has been agreed and confirmed, attention will quickly turn to summer transfer business. United will be keen to get their business started as soon as possible with some of their Premier League rivals already announcing new signings before the transfer window has even opened.
READ MORE: 'Best signing we'll make' - Newcastle United fans all say same thing after key appointment
Read more about his arrival here.
Ekitike on the move
Reims president Jean-Pierre Caillot has confirmed Hugo Ekitke will leave the club this summer. Newcastle failed in a January deadline-day attempt to lure the 19-year-old to Tyneside - despite agreeing a £25million deal.
An impressive breakout season in Ligue 1 saw Ekitke net 10 goals as Reims finished 12th and the French outfit are ready to cash in. Caillot said: "The amount should be more than €20million. Afterwards, you have to know how to be reasonable."
West Ham are also reportedly monitoring the young striker’s situation.
Trippier talks Toon target
Kieran Trippier is targeting a top-half finish with Newcastle next season. The Magpies narrowly missed out on a spot in the top 10, with Brighton’s second-half turnaround against West Ham on the final day the deciding factor.
England international Trippier is not getting carried away by calls for a European push and believes securing the top-10 spot should be the aim in 2022-23. He told Premier League Productions: "Next season, we want to take that next step. Of course, we do and, then, just keep building year by year.
"When new owners come in, people expect it to just go from there. We just need to be patient and keep building. Next season, finish in the top 10 and then keep building. Hopefully, new players do come in to help the team and build the team to get higher up the league.
"It's certainly exciting times from now into the future. There will be a lot of success coming back to this club, that's for sure, but it's about being patient. That's the key."
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