Newcastle United have reportedly been told that they would need to table an extraordinary offer to stand a chance of bringing Ajax manager Erik ten Hag to the club.
Since the departure of Steve Bruce, the Dutchman is said to have been identified as a prime target by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, who completed a takeover of the club at the beginning of October.
However, according to Chronicle Live, the Magpies have been told that it would take an 'exceptional and extraordinary' offer to prize him away from the Dutch giants, both with regard to a release clause and a wage package.
Newcastle would have to provide a two-year compensation package to Ajax, should they snare ten Hag, while the manager himself previously said to reporters: "There's no reason for me to think about that now. I am very happy at Ajax and I give everything for the club, every day. I know you can't plan anything in football, but you have to make an exceptional and extraordinary offer if I want to change my plans."
The Dutchman took charge of De Godenzonen in 2017, and he has secured two Eredivisie titles while his side were seconds away from the Champions League final in 2019, leading to reported interest from the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United in recent years.
He finds himself joined on the list of possible Newcastle candidates by the likes of Lucien Favre, Paulo Fonseca, Frank Lampard and current Rangers boss Steven Gerrard, with the hierarchy reportedly giving interim manager Graeme Jones another game in charge while they make a decision.
Sam Varley
