Ashley looking to have bigger input in Newcastle transfers

Mike Ashley is looking to have a greater input into Newcastle United’s transfer business.

The club’s owner has watched the Championship leaders’ last two games.

Ashley sat next to chief scout Graham Carr at the recent FA Cup tie against Birmingham City at St Andrew’s.

Carr had full control of the incomings and outgoings at St James’s Park up to last summer.

And the 72-year-old had been tipped to leave the club when Benitez committed himself to United in the wake of relegation, but, surprisingly, he stayed on.

Carr, crucially, has maintained a close relationship with Ashley, who was also at Saturday’s 2-1 win over Brent- ford at Griffin Park.

The result saw the club return to the top of the Championship.

Benitez had asked for a number of assurances on recruitment and finances before committing himself to the club.

Newcastle’s manager pledged to work with Carr after signing a three-year deal.

Benitez oversaw a profitable summer for the club – Newcastle made a £30million-plus surplus in the last transfer window – but the club is yet to make a breakthrough this month.

Ashley, understood to be reluctant to spend big in this window, has had a series of discussions with the club’s hierarchy over the past fortnight.

The billionaire – who saw 33-year-old substitute Daryl Murphy, signed from Ipswich Town last summer, score United’s winner against Brentford – reportedly wants a renewed focus on younger players with a sell-on value.

Ashley allowed Benitez and managing director Lee Charnley a free hand last summer, when Carr had a more peripheral role in the club’s recruitment.

And their efforts in the transfer market were lauded by supporters, who saw the likes of Dwight Gayle, Matt Ritchie and Mohamed Diame arrive on Tyneside.

Moussa Sissoko, Georginio Wijnaldum and Andros Townsend left for big fees.

However, it has been reported that Ashley wants Carr to have a “direct role” in all future recruitment.