Manchester United have approached Newcastle United sporting director Dan Ashworth about joining their new-look football operations set-up under investor Sir Jim Ratcliffe, according to a report.
Former Brighton and West Bromwich Albion technical director Ashworth is “keen” on the move and has a long-standing relationship with Ratcliffe’s performance guru, Sir David Brailsford, from his time as director of elite development at the FA, BBC Sport has said.
Ashworth could observe a period of gardening leave – as the 52-year-old did when he left Brighton for Newcastle in 2022 – should he take up what is likely to be a powerful position as part of an expected overhaul at United led by Brailsford, the man best known for helping to revive British cycling.
While Brighton and Newcastle’s resourcefulness in the transfer market has been partly credited to Ashworth, United have tended to act with contrasting wastefulness in recent years.
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In a meeting with supporters in 2022, former Red Devils chief executive Richard Arnold said the club with the highest spending power in England had “burned through” £1 billion with little tangible effect on the quality of their squad.
Winger Antony has since become the second-most expensive signing in United’s history but is yet to score or assist in 23 matches across the Premier League and Uefa Champions League this season.
The Brazil international cost more than £80 million, while Jadon Sancho, whose price tag was £73m in July 2021, returned to former club Borussia Dortmund on loan in January after making little impact at Old Trafford.
Dan Ashworth signings: Transfer expert ‘could cost £10m’
Brighton’s signings during Ashworth’s time at the club included midfielder Moises Caicedo, who arrived for £4.5m in June 2021 and joined Chelsea for a British-record £115m little more than two years later.
Nick Pope has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League since joining the Magpies from Burnley for £10m under Ashworth’s watch, and striker Alexander Isak has justified his position as their record £60m signing, scoring 14 times in 25 appearances this season.
United’s reported move for Ashworth comes a day after Ratcliffe’s purchase of 25% of the club for more than £1bn was ratified by the FA and Premier League.
The Red Devils will have to spend around £10m to Newcastle to complete the deal for Ashworth, according to the Chronicle.
The outlet says United could pay more to reduce the length of time Ashworth spends on gardening leave, emulating the agreement eventually reached between Newcastle and Brighton.
