Brighton & Hove Albion's belief that holding out until November when Dan Ashworth's contract finally expires will scupper Newcastle United's summer window means the waiting game goes on for Newcastle United to appoint their new supremo.
The South Coast club's frostiness towards Newcastle's top brass has been ongoing for months now but it is now looking more likely that United will be unable to ask Ashworth to spearhead their summer recruitment drive. Chronicle Live reported on February 17 that compensation demands from Brighton had held up the swoop for Ashworth and he remains on gardening leave.
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However, Newcastle's summer recruitment plans are already well under way - and with or without the appointment of Ashworth, this is expected to be one of the busiest summers on Tyneside for years. Head of recruitment Steve Nickson, highly likely to remain at United under the new technical director, has drawn up a shortlist of stars in every position.
It is thought that Newcastle want to bolster their squad by adding up to five new signings and while much has been made over a possible budget, the approach from PIF, Amanda Staveley and the Reubens is that they simply won't be pushed around by clubs demanding "silly money" for stars.
Every player has been sensibly valued by Newcastle and that argument will be presented to selling clubs. Although it isn't just big bids Newcastle will be involved in, out of contract stars and those with release clauses are also included on the list of Nickson as possible targets.
United chiefs were finding their feet when they landed at St James' Park in October with Amanda Staveley describing it as a "lonely place" but since then no stone has been left unturned. Hours and hours and long days have been spent researching every aspect of the club down the corridors of power.
What fans are seeing on the surface, the return of Shearer's Bar, the Shearer statue being moved and work in the community, is merely just the start. After years of neglect under previous ownership, those at the top want the very best for the Magpies and they are prepared to make the big plays to achieve that.
Ashworth will be an important piece of the puzzle at Newcastle but things are advancing in the right direction. There may be uncertainty over whether Newcastle can land certain stars this summer, but compared to previous seasons, fans will happily take it knowing there is ambition in the air again.
