Crystal Palace's Dougie Freedman is one of two people in line for the sporting director job at Newcastle.

The Magpies are serious about recruiting one of the best in the world for the position.

They are set to lose Dan Ashworth, as he is on gardening leave after announcing he wants to move to Manchester United.

As that deal rumbles on, The Standard states that Freedman and Johannes Spors are in line for the job.

Sports is linked to the 777 Group, who are attempting to buy Premier League side Everton.

Whether he has any involvement in the group's supposed financial misdeeds is not clear.