Unai Emery hinted strongly that he will leave Villarreal if Newcastle meet his release clause.
Speaking after Villarreal’s win over Young Boys he said: ‘They (Newcastle) have told me that they are interested in me. But there has been no offer to the club and I have been focussed on this game.
‘If there is an offer it has to be the club. If there is an offer then I will talk to (Villarreal President Fernando) Roig. I would consult with them and it would have to fulfil certain requisites.
Asked if he would rule out Newcastle he said: ‘I’m not closing or opening any doors’.
Newcastle are hoping to appoint the former Arsenal boss before Saturday's trip to Brighton, with Sportsmail understanding that the 49-year-old has told Toon director Amanda Staveley that he wants the job.
Negotiations are expected to take place on Wednesday and he could meet the Newcastle players as early as Thursday.
Training will be put back until the afternoon if necessary. There is still a chance that the process could run beyond the weekend, in which case it is hoped he will be watching his new team from the stands at the Amex Stadium at least.
Roig, on his part, before and after the game, insisted that Emery is under contract and that he should fulfil it, while still conceding that it may be out of his hands.
"Emery is very happy at Villarreal and under contract, I've nothing else to say," Roig told A Punt.
"It's not a decision for Villarreal and when it's not our decision...
"I think contracts are to be fulfilled."
Sportsmail reported on October 14 that Emery was on the shortlist to replace Steve Bruce, with a buyout clause in the region of £6million.
We understand talks accelerated during a series of Zoom calls on Sunday, and Staveley believes she has now got her man to lead the team out of the relegation zone.
The co-owner has led the managerial search and has sought references from key figures within Arsenal, as well as other clubs he has managed.
It is thought she was impressed by his passion for the role and, crucially, his proven track record in organising teams from a defensive perspective.
