Newcastle: PIF facing big problem over behind-the-scenes target

Newcastle United will be unable to appoint Dan Ashworth as their new director of football until November because of still being on gardening leave after resigning from his position at Brighton & Hove Albion, according to The Sun journalist Tom Barclay.

The Saudi Arabia-based Public Investment Fund completed a £305million takeover of the St James’ Park outfit last October, making the Magpies the richest club in world football, but their healthy financial situation has not allowed them to welcome Ashworth to Tyneside.

Ashworth quit as Brighton’s technical director in February, with the Seagulls revealing the 51-year-old was leaving the Amex Stadium due to looking to ‘take a similar role at another Premier League club’.

He walked away having already held initial discussions over the director of football role at Newcastle after Brighton had given the Magpies permission to arrange an interview.

Just 24 hours after his resignation on the south coast, it emerged that Ashworth had already entered advanced talks.

However, it is understood that Brighton are holding out for a substantial compensation package to allow Ashworth to cut his notice period short, having been placed on gardening leave following his decision to resign.

According to the Daily Mail, Ashworth could be made to wait until November before taking up his role as Newcastle’s director of football.

The report suggests negotiations over Ashworth’s release from gardening leave are ongoing between the Magpies and Brighton, but his arrival on Tyneside will not be imminent unless significant progress is made.

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Barclay understands that Brighton are holding firm over Ashworth’s