Newcastle United interest confirmed as £20m talks take place ahead of summer transfer window

Former Roma and Benfica sporting director Tiago Pinto has declared his interest in succeeding Dan Ashworth at Newcastle United.

Ashworth was placed on gardening leave by the Magpies last month after revealing his intention to join Manchester United. United are understood to be demanding a compensation package in the region of £20million, a figure new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe described as "silly".

Ratcliffe said: "I think Dan Ashworth is clearly one of the top sporting directors in the world, I've no doubt. He's a very capable person. He's interested in the Manchester United job because it's probably the biggest sporting director job in the world just now, with the biggest challenge.

"We've obviously had words with Newcastle. They would clearly be disappointed to lose Dan. Newcastle have been very, very successful, they've done really well since the new ownership, they play some good football and it's transformed the club. I understand why they would be disappointed to lose Dan.

"It's a bit silly, personally. I won't get dragged into that. What I do think is completely absurd is suggesting a man who is really good at his job sits in his garden for one-and-a-half years. That's completely stupid."

Until a compensation fee is agreed, Ashworth will remain on gardening leave until January 2026. Newcastle's search for a replacement is already underway, and Pinto has thrown his name into the that.

“If a big club like Newcastle asks to speak to you, of course you’re interested,” Pinto told The i. “I know the club’s story very well because Sir Bobby Robson was a big personality in Portugal and we associated him with Newcastle. I followed the club because of that passion.

“The work the new ownership has done has been very impressive – with a clever strategy they’ve come from a relegation fight to the Champions League so there’s huge potential at Newcastle. I don’t know if the interest is true or not but who would say no to a project like that?”

Pinto worked closely with Jose Mourinho at Roma. He agreed a mutual exit from the Serie A club in January before Mourinho was sacked less than a fortnight later.