Newcastle United have made an attempt to bring in Dan Ashworth in time for the start of the summer transfer window. The Magpies have long been in negotiations with Brighton & Hove Albion on a compensation package with the South Coast club.
But Ashworth remains on gardening leave and as things stand is locked in a contractual obligation until November. Newcastle 's co-owners are currently engaged in talks to end that situation as soon as possible.
Eddie Howe and his backroom staff, including head of recruitment Steve Nickson and his scouting team, have been acting as a makeshift transfer team. But with sides like Aston Villa already off and running in the summer window, which opens on June 10, Newcastle's bosses know that things need to start moving.
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Villa bagged United's January target Diego Carlos yesterday after Steven Gerrard flew to Spain to seal the deal. Howe said work on transfers started on Monday.
Newcastle are now believed to be confident of an early resolution with Brighton, but the Seagulls have played hardball on his services throughout 2022.
