Personal terms are agreed. The structure is not, and that is where this one lives or dies. Ashford City are closing in on a £40m midfielder, and the last five million is the argument.
The structure
The selling club wants £35m guaranteed and £5m in add-ons tied to appearances. Ashford want the split reversed. Neither side has moved in nine days.
The player
Twenty-two, left-footed, two full seasons as a starter. He has told both clubs he wants the move and has not trained with the first team since Tuesday.
The deal is done. The paperwork is the deal.
— Intermediary involved in the negotiation
