Newcastle rate him highly (Ashworth was a big fan) and would be keeping him if not for their financial issues. It’s a lot of money but if he fulfills his potential he will be worth a lot more than what is paid for him.
No, he was in the role before Ashworth went and before there was talk of him going. Pretty much the same way as Mick Cave is Weir’s no2 (and recruitment manager since Jewell left)
Finding it very difficult to get worked up about a player I only really know as not doing much in a Leicester team that got relegated. I’m sure the scouts / algorithm know what they are doing but if he went to Chelsea it would be very much a ‘meh’.