Newcastle United are understood to have agreed a deal to lure Man City scout Paul McLaren to St James' Park.
McLaren is expected to join the Magpies at the end of the season after more than five years at the Etihad Stadium. Newcastle are expected to bolster their Academy scouting network with a range of new roles with McLaren one of the key figures in Dan Ashworth's master plan.
McLaren spent his playing career at clubs such as Luton, Sheffield Wednesday, Rotherham, Tranmere, Bradford City and Oxford. He was hired by Arsenal in 2015 as their northern scout before the switch to Man City.
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But he will soon join the Magpies as Newcastle ensure no young stars slip the net in the Academy. Man City have already poached Toon analyst Mark Leyland after just a year on Tyneside.
When asked about Leyland's influence behind the scenes earlier this season, Howe had said: "Mark has had a big impact. He's played a huge part in what we've done this season.
"He's one of a number of people behind the scenes that have put a tireless amount of work in to try and improve the team. We love him to bits and he's been an integral part of our team."
But with Leyland set for pastures new, it looks like McLaren will be heading in the other direction for a role at Little Benton.
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