Luke Edwards has now dropped a big Newcastle United claim regarding Hugo Ekitike, also sharing some transfer news involving Nathan Ake and Sven Botman.

The Lowdown: Ashworth in at Newcastle

As per the club's official website, Dan Ashworth has now started his role as Sporting Director at St James' Park after they received formal approval from the Premier League for him to move from Brighton and Hove Albion.

It means that he can work on transfers ahead of the start of the summer window, with the mega-rich Magpies expected to be busy in the market.

The Latest: Edwards' transfer update

Taking to Twitter, Daily Telegraph journalist Edwards has revealed that Ashworth's arrival at Newcastle 'should speed up' a deal for Ekitike, while Ake and Botman are at the 'top of the list' for centre-back targets.

He stated: "The arrival of Dan Ashworth should speed up the completion of the Ekitike deal. #nufc will then focus their attention and money on landing one of their centre-back targets with Ake and Botman at top of the list."

The Verdict: Exciting

The reports that Newcastle are now seemingly closer to signing Ekitike following Ashworth's arrival is very exciting for the Toon Army.

Dubbed the "next Mbappe" by some in France, the Reims striker - just like the Paris Saint-Germain superstar - has burst onto the scene in French football with 11 goals and four assists in 26 matches across all competitions this season (Transfermarkt), and he is a hot prospect at just 19 years of age.

As for Ake and Botman, the former worked with Eddie Howe before at Bournemouth, while the latter - hailed as a "golden boy" by his agent Francesco Miniero - is one of the most promising centre-backs in the game at just 22.

Signing one of them on top of landing Ekitike would be a great start to the transfer window for the Magpies.

In other news, find out which 'superb' colossus Ashworth is now eyeing here!