Newcastle United 'confident' over Dan Ashworth demands as Manchester United talks continue

Newcastle United have reportedly set out their demands for sporting director Dan Ashworth as he closes in on a move to Manchester United. The Standard have claimed the Magpies are ‘confident’ they can demand a compensation fee of over £10m from their Premier League rivals after Ashworth informed the St James Park hierarchy he had received an official approach from the Red Devils on Wednesday. 

The situation could follow a similar pattern to the events that preceded Ashworth’s move from Brighton and Hove Albion to Newcastle in February 2022 after he spent time on gardening leave.

However, no matter how the coming days play out, there is an expectation Ashworth will bring an end to his two-year stay with the Magpies and take up a key role in new-look setup with the 13-time Premier League champions as Sir Jim Ratcliffe continues to make changes behind the scenes at Old Trafford. 

After he was joined on the Red Devils board by Sir David Brailsford and Jean-Claude Blanc, a first major appointment and something of a coup was completed when Omar Berrada was tempted away from Manchester City to become chief executive after Ratcliffe took control of football operations at the club.

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Ashworth is widely expected to front a new-look recruitment department once his appointment is confirmed as Erik ten Hag looks to build on what has been a season of mixed fortunes at Old Trafford. After spending around £200m on the likes of Rasmus Hojlund, Mason Mount and Andre Onana last summer, the former Ajax manager has struggled to bring any consistency out of his side - although they will head into the final three months of the season just six points shy of the Champions League places and still in the FA Cup.

Ashworth’s expected departure will leave a major hole at Newcastle after he became one of the first key appointments following a PIF-led takeover at St James Park in October 2021. Thoughts have already turned towards his replacement with the Magpies owners reportedly considering a move for former Liverpool chief Michael Edwards.