BRIGHTON are reportedly playing hardball over letting Dan Ashworth leave to join Newcastle early.
Ashworth is set to join Newcastle as director of football, but may have to wait some time before heading north as the Seagulls hold out for a 'substantial compensation package' to allow for his early release.
Brighton and Newcastle are currently locked in talks over a package that would let the 50-year-old head to Tyneside early, according The Athletic.
Ashworth stepped down from his role as director of football with Brighton in order to take up a similar role on Tyneside.
But a lengthy notice period means it could be NEXT season before Ashworth is allowed to leave Brighton.
The Seagulls want a 'significant' figure to sanction his early release as they continue to search for a successor to Ashworth.
It's understood the two Premier League clubs are some way apart in terms of the current figure on offer by Newcastle, and the figure Brighton are asking for.
Newcastle though remain confident that they will have their man before the summer transfer window.
Most read in Football
'DISGUSTING' 
Thousands complain to RSPCA after Zouma filmed KICKING cat as ace apologises
Swaying Jack Grealish 'turned away from bar' on night out with Man City pals
Kurt Zouma booted his pet cat – even though he's ambassador for 'lion charity'
West Ham's Kurt Zouma KICKS & slaps his pet cat in horrific video
JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
The club want him settled in before the end of the season in order to give him as long as possible to plan for the next transfer window.
If a figure can't be agreed then the club are prepared to wait until the end of Ashworth's notice period, but in an ideal world he will be instated as soon as possible.
One transfer window has already been completed without a director of football, and the Magpies are eager to avoid a similarly hectic window at the end of the campaign.
Although equally with Ashworth as they have experienced when enquiring for players, Newcastle are being quoted sky-high figures due to their newly found riches.
Toon chiefs identified Ashworth as the man to oversee their recruitment drive long-term in their cash-rich Saudi era.
They approached the former FA supremo last month and were given permission to talk to him by Brighton, who had hoped to convince Ashworth of staying.
But after seeing out the January transfer window, which saw Brighton sell Dan Burn to Newcastle for £13million, Ashworth has now quit for Tyneside.
Yet when Ashworth will eventually begin his role at his new club still remains to be seen.
⚽ Read our Transfer News Live blog for the very latest rumours, gossip and done deals
Source: Read Full Article