Newcastle United will make Steve Bruce the Premier League's lowest paid manager if he makes the move to the North East.
That is what the Daily Mirror are reporting, as they claim Bruce will receive a salary of £1million per year - £5million per year less than previous manager Rafa Benitez.
Bruce still regrets turning down Newcastle when they approached him to succeed Sir Bobby Robson, meaning the boyhood Newcastle fan is happy to accept the terms offered to him.
However, the report claims Bruce will be able to boost his £20,000 per week basic salary through incentivised payments. Mike Ashley will reportedly offer increased payments to Bruce for every position the Magpies finish above the relegation zone.
Nonetheless, Newcastle and Sheffield Wednesday are still some way apart in terms of the compensation agreement United would have to strike with the Owls to prise him away from South Yorkshire.
Ashley is said to be willing to part with £1milion for Bruce, but Sheffield Wednesday are holding out for £5million for their man, given Newcastle will also be taking Bruce's coaches, Stephen Clemence and Steve Agnew, to Tyneside.
The Sports Direct magnate is said to be unwilling to match Wednesday's £5million demand, though, and the report claims Ashley hopes Bruce walks away from Sheffield Wednesday, leaving the two parties to haggle over the terms of his exit.
Bruce took charge of Sheffield Wednesday's 3-1 friendly win over Lincoln yesterday and said his future is 'in the hands of both clubs'.
The Sun report that Newcastle's managing director, Lee Charnley, has not travelled with the club to China for the Premier League Asia Trophy.
They claim Charnley opted against travelling to push through the deal to bring Bruce to Tyneside but Sheffield Wednesday want the compensation money paid up front, in full. Newcastle would rather pay in instalments and talks are set to continue.
Meanwhile, it is claimed Bruce will bring Newcastle's former Chief Scout, Graham Carr, back to the club.
Carr has remained close to the Ashley regime and the Mirror claim Bruce feels he retains the required contacts in Europe, which saw Newcastle sign the likes of Yohan Cabaye and Moussa Sissoko, to help him in the summer transfer market.
He is expected to be offered a senior scouting position at the club.
Despite not having a manager in place, Newcastle are reportedly close to making their first signing of the summer. Football Insider claim that former Chelsea youngster Kyle Scott will have a medical with Newcastle in the next 48 hours before penning a three-year deal at St James' Park.
Scott was first linked with Newcastle last month, with Rafa Benitez said to be a fan of the 21-year-old. Scott made his Chelsea debut under Antonio Conte and was part of their youth side that won three consecutive FA Youth Cup titles and the UEFA Youth League in successive seasons.
He spent the first half of last season on loan with Dutch side Telstar and is keen for a new challenge after his contract at Stamford Bridge expired last month.
