Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe will be hoping for another "good news" phone call as he continues his summer holiday as the Dan Ashworth project unfolds rapidly back on Tyneside.
The n ew sporting director is eager for Howe to make the most of his vacation with the hard work set to get under way on July 1 for the beginning of pre-season training. By that time, Howe will hope to have a couple more new faces on board with the head coach a stickler for getting recruitment done early.
His aspirations on that front have been massively boosted by the earlier than expected arrival of Ashworth with the meticulous new Toon supremo already working his way through meetings with each department. The former Brighton chief's arrival coincided with the permanent signing of Matt Targett.
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Targett's move proved something of a pleasant surprise for Howe after a small period of uncertainty for the left-back. At one stage, Howe wondered whether interest from southern clubs - including Fulham - could sway the full-back's mind.
United had a list of back-up options available in case Targett opted against moving north and Chronicle Live understands AZ Alkmaar skipper Owen Wijndal was a player Newcastle have taken a close look at.
However, after a think about the move to the North-East, Targett has opted to stay where he is very much wanted. Serenaded by Newcastle fans on the night of the 2-0 win against Arsenal, Targett never hid his desire to stay at St James' Park, it was always a case of whether the move could work for all concerned.
The wheels were already in motion for the £15million deal, with part of the fee already covered by loan costs, and Newcastle have probably landed one of the bargains of the summer by signing an international class left-back for a knockdown fee. No sooner had the ink dried on Targett's contract the question of: "Who's next" emerged on Tyneside.
Centre-back is definitely the area Newcastle are keen to improve on now. The fact that United stayed cool on Everton-bound James Tarkowski, available on a free transfer, indicates their hunger to sign Sven Botman of Lille.
Co-owner Amanda Staveley has never stepped back from Botman and the word from the Dutch centre-back's camp last night was that nobody had moved ahead in the race to sign him. AC Milan's uncertain takeover deal is aiding Newcastle but as things stand Botman remains on international duty with Holland Under-21s until later this week.
A short holiday is planned but his agent is carefully assessing the options and Newcastle remain very much in the hunt to sign him. Along with Hugo Ekitike of Reims, Botman is high on Howe's wish-list and he will have a keen eye on his cell phone for the rest of his holiday.
With Ashworth in place, Howe knows things are happening back home. And after Ashworth spoke about being in the "centre of the wheel" earlier this week, those spokes are certainly moving now.
