Dan Ashworth is set to leave Newcastle United with the Tyneside club putting their sporting director on gardening leave.
The 52-year-old is top of Man United’s list to become the Red Devils’ new sporting director and Ashworth has agreed to move to Old Trafford, with talks over compensation set to happen soon, reports Fabrizio Romano.
According to the Guardian, Newcastle want £20m for Ashworth but United have no intention of matching that figure and will try to negotiate the number down.
The Manchester club’s new part owners, INEOS, are looking to put together a strong team together behind the scenes and the Newcastle man is the next piece of the puzzle having lured Omar Berrada away from Man City to become the new CEO at Old Trafford.
???? Newcastle confirm Dan Ashworth has now commenced a period of gardening leave.
CEO Darren Eales: “Our exciting journey doesn't stop and the process to recruit a new director will begin immediately”.
??? Ashworth has agreed to join Man United. Talks on compensation, soon. pic.twitter.com/FF8hLc5kf5
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 19, 2024
Ashworth is a very highly-rated sporting director and has held his role at St James’ Park for 20 months. The Englishman did brilliant work at Brighton before moving to Newcastle and Man United is the best job he can get within the Premier League.
This is a major coup for Sir Jim Ratcliffe and United if they can bring the sporting director to their club but that will come down to the compensation, with Newcastle determined not to let him go cheaply.