One Man's "Taking Charge" Of Newcastle's Transfer Dealings - And It's Not Ashley

Managing director Lee Charnley is "taking charge" of Newcastle United's summer transfer dealings as Mike Ashley "takes a back seat", Steve McClaren has revealed. The Magpies boss admitted to meeting with Newcastle owner Ashley last week and he was told that Charnley was handling any potential incomings and outgoings from the club. With McClaren being the only Barclays Premier League boss also on his club's board, he also revealed he had been communicating with Charnley and chief scout Graham Carr regularly as he looks to add further players to his squad.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Newcastle's trip to Swansea on Saturday (3pm kick-off), McClaren said (Shields Gazette):

"I met the owner last week. He reiterated that he€™s taking a back seat. Lee€™s taking charge. We€™re working well together. "He€™s saying that€™s my job to tell him: 'We need this, we need that to improve the squad.' And we€™re communicating a lot with Graham Carr. "We€™ve done that every week. We€™ve been patient."

The Magpies have already signed Aleksandar Mitrovic, Georginio Wijnaldum, Chancel Mbemba and Ivan Toney so far this transfer window, but McClaren refused to rule out further recruits. Admitting "things happen in the next two weeks", McClaren continued:

"We€™ve got three in. Will there be any more? I do not know. "Are we pursuing? Are we looking? Of course. We€™re always looking to improve our team and our squad. I can€™t tell you anything concrete at this stage. "As you know, things happen in the next two weeks."

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