Ashworth 'planning' £115m swoop for Newcastle United transfer targets once Man Utd move is sealed

Dan Ashworth's protracted move to Manchester United provoked some fears the former FA head of elite development will use his extensive knowledge of Newcastle United's transfer targets to his advantage.

The Magpies sporting director is currently on gardening leave after he received an approach to take up a similar role with the 13-time Premier League champions. Negotiations between the two clubs are ongoing and there have been some suggestions progress has been made after the Magpies initially demanded a compensation fee of over £15m.

Speaking about the situation last month, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe admitted there were some concerns over how it could impact on his recruitment plans, saying: “Recruitment is a 365-day-a-year job. It never sleeps and, yes, Dan is in a position of power and privy to a lot of intelligence and information. That’s why it’s a slightly unusual situation. “We want a quick resolution. It’s better for everybody if that’s the case.”

Howe's fears made have some foundation if the latest reports over Ashworth's first two transfer move if and when he takes up his new role at Old Trafford after the Red Devils were linked with two Serie A stars that were said to be on the Magpies radar over the last 12 months. The Telegraph have claimed Ashworth is keen to revisit his interest in Inter star Nicolo Barella and would have to persuade the Old Trafford hierarchy to part with around £75m to bring the midfielder to the Premier League 12 months after Newcastle had an initial approach rejected.

And Inter Live have claimed another former Magpies target is also on Ashworth's radar after they suggested Juventus defender Gleison Bremer is also under consideration by the Red Devils almost 18 months after the former Torino star was heavily linked with a move to Tyneside.