NEWCASTLE have reportedly hired ex-Celtic head of football operations Nick Hammond as a temporary consultant ahead of the January transfer window.
Hammond comes in with Newcastle languishing in the relegation zone, ahead of a critical opening month to the New Year.
He is set to to offer his knowledge on transfers as the club look to tie up at least THREE signings in January, according to The Athletic.
It’s claimed that the Magpies are prioritising a central midfielder, centre-back and full-back to immediately come in and improve the first team.
Hammond will come in as a temporary fix as the mega-rich club seek to appoint a permanent director of football.
Reports suggest he is not being considered for the director of football role on a full time basis.
He could have an influence though on who is eventually appointed for the role.
Hammond himself is a former director of football at Reading, playing his part in the club’s promotion to the Premier League in 2006.
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He has also spent time as technical director at West Brom.
Ex-Chelsea director of football Michael Emenalo has been linked with the director of football role at St. James’ Park, although Newcastle have denied that he has been offered the job.
An attacking midfielder and striker are also rumoured to be on Eddie Howe’s wishlist, although a complete overhaul in January is a risky move.
Kieran Trippier is their top target, while Jesse Lingard, Ben Mee and James Tarkowski are also on the radar.
But former Magpie Jermaine Jenas told BT Sport that the club could be ‘stung’ by ‘mercenaries’ in their ‘desperate’ bid to beat the drop.
He said: “They’re going to go through that, the mercenaries turning up and taking the money. It’s just… I don’t think you can [stop that].
“They’re desperate right now, and they’re desperate for anything they can get which is going to help them keep them in this league.
“And in being desperate, you’re going to get stung.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk