HITC understands that Newcastle sporting director Dan Ashworth has been placed on gardening leave with Manchester United keen to take him to Old Trafford.
Ashworth informed Newcastle earlier in the week that he would like to the chance to join United and HITC is told that he made it clear over the weekend of his desire to move.
Newcastle made the decision on Sunday to place Ashworth on gardening leave. His current deal states that he could be on leave until 2026 – meaning to get him before that, a deal needs to be agreed.
Asking price
Newcastle paid Brighton around £5million to secure Ashworth’s services for themselves in 2023 but now they are claiming it will take up to £20million to land him.
HITC understands that Man United have yet to make an official approach, although talks have been ongoing and they are confident a deal could be finalised sooner, rather than later.
Talks are now set to take place and HITC is told that Man United are willing to pay ‘substantial’ compensation for their number one target for their sporting director role.
INEOS’ sporting director Sir Dave Brailsford is tasked with putting together United’s new footballing department and the club’s new chief executive is in place with Omar Berrada coming in from Manchester City.
Brailsford working on deal
Now they are working on the day-to-day footballing side and Brailsford has made it clear he wants Ashworth – who in-turn has decided that he wants to make the move. Brailsford and INEOS CEO Jean-Claude Blanc, who will also be taking up positions on United’s board, are now working on the Ashworth deal.
United will now press ahead this week to try and seal the appointment of Ashworth.
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