Dan Ashworth can complete ultimate Newcastle United betrayal with £100m power play

The Gunners are searching for a sporting director following Edu Gaspar’s surprise resignation last month. In typical merry-go-round fashion, both events now leave the door open for Ashworth to secure another top job in English football.

Newcastle United played hardball over the 53-year-old when the Red Devils came calling earlier this year. A five-month wrangle ended in July, with Ashworth heading to Old Trafford for a reported £5million compensation fee.

However, after months of upheaval at Man United, which saw £200million spent on transfers and Erik ten Hag sacked, minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe pulled the trigger following their 3-2 home defeat to Nottingham Forest at the weekend. With Ashworth a free agent, a switch to Arsenal could have severe consequences on Tyneside.

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Various sources claim the Gunners remain interested in Toon record signing Alexander Isak. Talk of a new deal has been placed on hold, with the Swede still having four years left to run.

Despite Newcastle’s inconsistencies in 2024-25, Isak has remained a goal threat, with six goals and three assists from 13 Premier League games. He is widely regarded as one of the best top-flight strikers - the potential missing jigsaw piece for Arsenal’s title bid.

Ashworth was at the helm when the Magpies stumped up £63million to sign Isak from Real Sociedad in August 2022. The sporting director was the one who jetted to Spain to help finalise the club-record deal.

Should the former Man United chief head to the Emirates, Newcastle fans will be on tenterhooks regarding his first big power play. Isak would not come cheap, however, with the Magpies valuing the striker over £100million.