Newcastle United are set to fail in their bid to land Richard Hughes, who appears close to joining Liverpool instead.
According to Football Insider, Newcastle United are well behind Liverpool in the race to land Richard Hughes. The Magpies had hoped to reunite the 44-year-old transfer guru with Eddie Howe, although the Merseysiders are now firmly the favourites to sign him as their new sporting director.
Newcastle United to miss out on Richard Hughes?
Newcastle United are facing a pivotal summer window, as one of their important tasks would be to replace the outgoing Dan Ashworth. Manchester United are set to open talks soon to make him their new sporting director, which has put the Magpies in the market searching for a replacement.
Bournemouth’s outgoing 44-year-old transfer guru Richard Hughes emerged on their radar, although things are complicated with him. Newcastle United were once considered front-runners in the chase, only for Liverpool to have usurped their appointment chances.
The Magpies had proposed the idea of reuniting the 44-year-old transfer guru with former Cherries boss Eddie Howe. Bournemouth have confirmed on March 5 that Richards will leave the club when the season concludes, with Liverpool closing in on appointing him as their new sporting director.
The Magpies are set to lose out on Richards, as he will join Liverpool and work under Michael Edwards, who is close to returning. Newcastle United will spread out their search in the coming months to find a suitable replacement for Ashworth, although it would be someone other than Richards.
Why is Dan Ashworth leaving?
Dan Ashworth arrived from Brighton & Hove Albion as the move signalled the beginning of a new era at Newcastle United under their new Saudi Arabia-based owners. So far, he has done an exceptional job, especially with talent acquisition, making a series of high-profile signings to aid Howe’s first-team squad.
Since Manchester United came to the fore, he has accepted the role and asked Newcastle United for a departure. He was subsequently put on gardening leave, which presumably is the beginning of the end of Ashworth’s time at St. James’ Park. While they had wanted Richards as the ideal candidate to replace the departing sporting director, it will be interesting to know who else falls on their radar next.
