Newcastle's latest Dan Ashworth stance revealed amid seven-figure standoff

Newcastle United’s delay in being able to appoint Dan Ashworth as their new director of football has come as a ‘nuisance’ to the St James’ Park hierarchy, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Saudi Arabia-based Public Investment Fund completed a £305million takeover last October, resulting in the Magpies becoming the richest club in world football.

It has been revealed by the Daily Mail that Newcastle have been unable to welcome Ashworth to Tyneside due to a seven-figure standoff with Premier League rivals Brighton & Hove Albion.

The report suggests the Seagulls are demanding a fee of £5million in order to release the 51-year-old from gardening leave, but the Magpies’ owners – led in the UK by Amanda Staveley and her husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi – are refusing to pay what they believe to be inflated prices.

Ashworth has been on gardening leave since quitting as Brighton’s technical director in February, with the south coast outfit revealing he was departing the Amex Stadium due to looking to ‘take a similar role at another Premier League club’.

The Football Association’s former director of elite development tendered his resignation having already held initial discussions over the director of football role at Newcastle after Brighton had given the Tynesiders permission to arrange an interview.

Just 24 hours after walking away from Brighton, it emerged that Ashworth had already entered advanced talks, but Newcastle have been unable to get a deal over the line.

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O’Rourke believes Ashworth remains at the forefront of Newcastle’s long-term plans despite being unable to reach an agreement with Brighton.

The journalist feels the Magpies’ key decision-makers will