Newcastle have shut their player recruitment operations as a result of the coronavirus crisis.
Head of recruitment Steve Nickson has sent a blanket text message, which has been seen by Sportsmail, to a host of his contacts outlining the decision for the recruitment department to close until further notice.
The Magpies have furloughed staff in response to the Covid-19 outbreak - and Nickson, in his correspondence with intermediaries, has confirmed that the club's scouting team have closed.
Club sources have told us that lists of proposed summer targets have already been drawn up but all recruitment work must now cease under the terms of the furlough scheme.