Manchester United deal on hold as Newcastle United close to 'absolutely key' move

Eddie Howe hopes Newcastle United can appoint a new sporting director before the summer transfer window - but says he’d be willing to wait six months if it means recruiting the best candidate.

The Magpies are searching for a replacement for Dan Ashworth, who was placed on gardening leave in February after signalling his intention to join Manchester United. Newcastle want a sizeable compensation package to release Ashworth from his contract before January 2026.

With negotiations currently at an impasse, it’s understood Ashworth is set to take Newcastle to arbitration in order to facilitate his switch to Old Trafford. New Red Devils co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe previously labelled Newcastle’s demands as “absurd” and “completely stupid”.

But while that rumbles on in the background, the process to replace Ashworth has recently entered the final stages. Howe, however, is yet to be consulted over who it might be, with Crystal Palace’s Dougie Freedman the latest named linked.

“I think it's one of those things, if the club wanted to seek my opinion, I'd be more than happy to do that,” said Howe. “That hasn't happened to this point and I respect and understand that. But it's a big appointment for us, we have to try and get it right.

“We have to work really closely with whoever it is to take the team forward as they say and make good decisions for the future of the club. An absolutely key appointment for us, so let's wait and see what happens."

In the meantime, Howe along with the club’s hierarchy and head of recruitment Steve Nickson are preparing for a challenging summer, with their transfer budget again dictated by Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).

Ideally Howe would like the sporting director position filled as soon as possible but has backed the club to make the right appointment, whenever that might be.

Howe said: "I think my preference would be they're here yesterday. Having that continuity and building that working relationship I think is important. We need to build it as quickly as possible. It's going to be a really interesting transfer window coming up. A hugely important one for us. So I think we need the best people working on that.

“But, if you said to me, 'You've got to wait six months', for example, to get the best example candidate for the long-term benefit of the football club, and this person is going to be here for five to 10 years, I'd say that probably is a decision we should make."