Manchester United are reportedly set to “reach an agreement” with Newcastle over a deal to allow Dan Ashworth to Old Trafford as early as “next week.”
Newcastle sporting director Dan Ashworth has been strongly linked with a move to Manchester United for some time. And Daily Mail now report that an agreement between the two Premier League sides is inching closer to completion.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is a man on a mission at Old Trafford
Manchester United are in the middle of a wholesale reconstruction behind the scenes following INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s agreement to purchase a 25 percent stake in the club. The deal was approved by the Premier League on Tuesday, and all formalities to allow their onboarding could be completed by next week.
They have already landed Omar Berrada from Manchester City as the club’s new chief executive, and their hunt for a new sporting director is now gathering pace rapidly.
Dan Ashworth is seen as the best in the business by incoming Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS team, and he has been identified as the leading candidate for the sporting director position at Old Trafford after impressing in similar roles with Brighton & Hove Albion and Newcastle United.
Manchester United closing in on Dan Ashworth appointment
The 52-year-old has already said yes to joining Manchester United, less than two years after joining Newcastle United. He is believed to be good friends with Sir Dave Brailsford, who wants him to lead the charge of recruitment at Old Trafford.
As such, Ashworth has let the Magpies know of Manchester United’s approach, and Eddie Howe’s side are now awaiting a formal approach from their Premier League rivals, which they expect in the coming days as they are set to command a sizeable compensation fee for his services.
The Daily Mail states that every party involved wants “a swift conclusion,” and things will develop quickly in the coming days if a compensation package is agreed upon, even though a prolonged period of gardening leave is probable. According to the report, Ashworth’s willingness to move stems from the fact that he has not been given as much control at St. James’ Park as he had initially expected.
This is not to say that there’s a “fallout” between the former Brighton director and Newcastle. But Ashworth is “lured by the project” under Ratcliffe. At United, Ashworth will reportedly head a new-look recruitment team that will also get a new Head of Recruitment and a Technical Chief Scout soon as he looks to “find a better balance to recruitment” than his predecessors.
