FORMER Chelsea and Monaco Director of Football Michael Emenalo is the leading candidate to take over the new Sporting Director Role at Newcastle United following the recent appointment of Eddie Howe.

According to the Telegraph, Emenalo has travelled to Saudi Arabia for talks with the club's owners with several sources spotting the Nigerian in Jeddah. The new owners are said to be keen to make the appointment during the international break.

Emenalo would arrive at Newcastle with a glowing reputation in the game. Having spent six years with the Blues between 2011 and 2017, the 56-year-old was part of the process in bringing some major names to Chelsea including the likes of Eden Hazard, N'Golo Kante and Cesc Fabregas to Stamford Bridge. The Blues also won the Premier League title in 2014 and 2016.

While Emenalo played a major role in bringing some of the world's best talent to the club and helping the club to success, he also completely restructured the academy that has helped produce some of the leading talent in the Chelsea first team to this day including the likes of Mason Mount, Reece James and Callum Hudson-Odoi. Fikayo Tomori and Tammy Abraham have gone on to play for AC Milan and Roma respectively.

Emenalo left the club to take over a similar role at French side Monaco where he spent two years with the Ligue 1 side. He's been out of work since which would allow Newcastle to make a swift appointment if a deal can be struck.

Newcastle had previously pursued former Arsenal winger Marc Overmars, who is currently the Director of Football at Dutch side Ajax. However, the new owners have been forced to switch their attentions elsewhere after Overmars, 48, reaffirmed his desire to stay in the Netherlands.

The appointment of Emenalo would be part of a continuing overhaul at the club with a new bill of management, coaching and club staff.

Howe was confirmed as new boss on Monday and immediately took charge.

The former Bournemouth boss has also brought in his trusted number two Jason Tindall.

His first game in charge will be at home to Brentford on Saturday 20th November after the international break.