Newcastle re-open talks with Brighton over Dan Ashworth

[Alberts__Lob]

From the Daily Mail (awful website to view because of all the adverts):

Dan Ashworth could arrive as Newcastle's sporting director in time for the summer transfer window after negotiations with Brighton reopened.

Sportsmail revealed last month that the Seagulls were demanding £5million to release the 51-year-old from gardening leave after he stood down as their technical director in February.

It looked as if Newcastle would be made to wait until Ashworth's notice period expired in November after talks between the clubs ground to a halt.

But discussions are said to have resumed and there is hope among all parties of a resolution being found.

Ashworth's impending arrival at St James' Park will be the first major off-field appointment of the new Saudi-backed ownership, led in the UK by Amanda Staveley and her husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi.

There is excitement at the prospect of the former Football Association technical director teaming up with head coach Eddie Howe and it is hoped they will lead the restructuring of the club in the coming years.

Ashworth had even seen Howe as a future England boss during his time at the FA.

As we reported last week, Howe is expected to open talks over a new contract this summer with his current deal expiring in 2024.

[Jammy89]

Apprently (well according to various twitter sources) we've upped our offer to £3.5 million to release now.

[PhoneymcRingRing]

I thought this was done ages ago, wtf?

[Jammy89]

No - we've appointed but he can't start work till Novemeber.

We can pay to have him relased from the reminder of his contract but Brighton wanted £5.5 million. We offered £2million and then £3million.

But we really want him now, so we've upped our offer again to allow him to start work now, rather than Nov.

[Zippity]

It's bizarre, really, this idea of gardening leave,

If an employee gets a new job, then tough shit-you clearly haven't done enough to keep them. Just because you're in competition shouldn't matter. You're not paying their wages any more so that should be that.

[Xamand]

You're not paying their wages any more so that should be that.

Actually, you are still paying their wages, the employee is just not coming into the office anymore and is no longer party to the goings on and plans of the company.

[toptoon]

If he was a player everyone would ignore his contract and he’d come. However, in the ‘non football player’ world, contracts still count for something.

[Geordie1974]

By reports this morning it's all sorted and will be here next week.