Brighton boss Graham Potter remains tightlipped on the future of football director Dan Ashworth.
ChronicleLive reports the Magpies were given the green light to discuss terms with the former FA and West Brom director before Christmas, with reports indicating a salary in the region of £2m per year had been offered.
United's new owners have recruited former Celtic transfer chief Nicky Hammond on a temporary basis to negotiate the January window.
However, Ashworth is reportedly viewed as one of the leading candidates to take on the role of helping shape the St James' Park rebuild.
He told Sussex Live: “He's been great to work with. I didn't know Dan [Ashworth] before I came here. He's fantastic at this job. He's incredibly organised and links the club really well.
“He's helped, I'm helped and we're all helped by having a fantastic chairman who sets the tone for everything, provides a fantastic direction for us all, so we're all able to do our jobs really well.
“Tony [Bloom] is really supportive of Dan [Ashworth], myself, and everybody.
“Dan [Ashworth] has been brilliant for me. I can't comment on speculation but he's been a key part of what we've done and helped incredibly with me and my staff. He's played a huge role."
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