Newcastle United have suffered a setback in their hopes of appointing Brighton's Dan Ashworth as their new sporting director.

What's the story?

Journalist Craig Hope revealed: "As it stands, Ashworth - who resigned as Brighton’s technical director in February - will be made to see out his notice period, meaning it is likely to be November before he arrives at St James’ Park.

"We understand there is frustration on Newcastle’s part that they have been unable to reach a compromise and install the man who will oversee the club’s restructuring.

"However, the Saudi-backed owners - led in the UK by Amanda Staveley and her husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi - will not pay what they believe to be inflated prices, be that for players or staff."

Blow for Howe

After enjoying a relatively successful January transfer window, one which saw the likes of Kieran Trippier and Bruno Guimaraes arrive in high-profile deals, getting off to a good start in the summer would have been something Howe was hoping for.

Instead, the delay in getting a deal for Ashworth over the line threatens to cloud some of their potential work in the transfer market, particularly with the kind of valuable input the Brighton man could have provided with all his experience.

Indeed, according to Hope, it's the Magpies boss who might once again be tasked with playing a bigger role in the recruitment process, adding: "Head coach Eddie Howe is prepared to fill some of the void in Ashworth’s absence, primarily when it comes to recruitment, as he did during a successful January window."

Given the exhaustive list of targets that have been linked with a move to St James' Park since the arrival of the new owners, having a streamlined process where people with experience and knowledge are walking in the right corridors of power during the summer window will be key.

Ashworth's absence in such a crucial period of the Magpies' history when they no doubt plan on taking that next step in the Premier League is sure to be a big blow for Howe and one that might leave the club's supporters worried.

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