New Newcastle boss Eddie Howe’s response when asked about Michael Edwards Liverpool exit

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe insists he knows nothing about Michael Edwards’ future after the Liverpool sporting director was linked with a move to St James’ Park. Howe took over at the Magpies on Monday following last month’s departure of Steve Bruce.

Edwards is regarded as one of the best sporting directors in Europe and has confirmed he will depart Liverpool when his contract expires next summer.

The 42-year-old arrived at Anfield in 2011 as the club’s chief analyst and was promoted to his current role five years later.

As sporting director, Edwards has overseen incoming and outgoing transfers on Merseyside and has built a formidable reputation for his shrewd dealings in the market.

Edwards negotiated the £142million fee to sell Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona in 2018 – the highest figure a British club has ever received for a player.

Days earlier he had paid little more than half that figure to capture Virgil van Dijk from Southampton.

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Edwards has also been responsible for taking Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Diogo Jota to Anfield.

And he has also sold the likes of Mamadou Sakho, Dominic Solanke and Rhian Brewster for arguably well above their true market value.

With Edwards on his way out of Anfield, Newcastle could pounce and agree a deal to take him to the north east.

But Howe says he has no idea what Edwards’ plans are.

“I had always planned to cap my time at the club to a max of 10 years. I’ve loved working here, but I am a big believer in change.

“I think it’s good for the individual and, in a work setting, good for the employer too.

“Over my time here we have changed so many things (hopefully for the better) but someone new brings a different perspective, new ideas and can hopefully build (or change) on the things that have been put in place beforehand.”