Marc Overmars turns down Newcastle United directorial role, Magpies want Thomas Strakosha

Thomas Strakosha of Lazio
Thomas Strakosha of Lazio - IMAGO / HochZwei/Syndication

Overmars turns down Newcastle

Newcastle United appointed Eddie Howe as the club’s new manager yesterday but the Premier League club have faced a setback in their move to appoint a sporting director.

According to the Athletic, Ajax director Marc Overmars has turned down the opportunity to join Newcastle.

The Dutchman has been exceptional in his role as the director of football at Ajax and Newcastle were hoping but he would lead the revolution at St James’s park.

Overmars helped Ajax win four league titles and his impressive recruitment in the transfer market was crucial to the club’s Europa League final appearance in 2017 and the Champions League final appearance two years later.

Ajax were desperate to hold onto Overmars amid the interest from Newcastle United and the Dutch outfit will be delighted the former Netherlands international has opted to stay.

It will be interesting to see if the Premier League club decides to move for other directorial targets in the coming weeks.

Newcastle keen on Strakosha

Meanwhile, Newcastle United are thought to be keen on signing the Lazio goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha.

The Albanian will be available for a free transfer at the end of this season and he could be signed for a knockdown price when the transfer window reopens in January.

According to the Sun, the Premier League club have already sent scouts to watch the player in action last week and they are thought to be preparing a move to sign the 26-year-old on a pre-contract agreement and then offer Lazio a nominal fee to sign him immediately.

The report adds that the 26-year-old wants to leave the Italian club after falling down the pecking order.

 Apparently the likes of Dean Henderson and Marc-Andre Ter Stegen are on Newcastle’s radar as well.