Someone might have already pointed this out:Why would the club give permission first? It does not benefit them to do that. It would have us in a stronger position to make them bid first.
The club has a stated policy that it will always inform staff of offers and allow them to talk. Partly this is having an honest and open culture within the club, partly it's just recognising you're never going to stop covert talks happening, so why aggrevate someone you'd prefer to keep by attempting to stop them?
I appreciate you have stated 'get the offer first' but the first offer is never the final agreement and further Pascal's wages will be a factor in how much they can afford to pay us.