TRENDING NEWS: Manchester United have received a potential boost with speculation suggesting that Newcastle United might opt for a “compromise” by settling for Dan Ashworth, following what has been described as an “absurd” claim.

According to David Ornstein, discussions between Manchester United and Newcastle United regarding a deal for sporting director Dan Ashworth are ongoing.

Ashworth, aged 52, has garnered praise as one of the premier directors in world football, credited with significant contributions to Newcastle since his arrival at the Premier League club in 2022.

Newcastle United had hoped to retain Dan Ashworth for an extended period, but he is being pursued by Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Manchester United, and Ashworth is reportedly keen on the move.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s acquisition of a 27.7% stake in Manchester United has been finalized, granting him control over footballing matters at Old Trafford. Substantial changes are underway at Manchester United, with Ratcliffe keen on appointing Ashworth as their sporting director.

Ashworth was placed on gardening leave by Newcastle over the weekend, and the club is seeking £20 million from Manchester United for his services. This demand has surprised Ratcliffe, who considers the asking price “absurd.”

However, according to a report from Football Insider, Newcastle is now likely to accept a compromise.

In The Athletic, David Ornstein discussed the ongoing saga involving Dan Ashworth and Newcastle’s search for a new director. Ornstein confirmed that Newcastle has initiated the process of finding a new director.

He stated, “Newcastle are just starting their process and it is more focused on what they want rather than who they want. They will have some names in mind from England and abroad. Don’t forget they were recruiting for this position less than two years ago and plenty of that work will probably still come in handy. They will need to decide the type of person and skill set they are looking for and then draw up candidates to fit that profile.”

Ornstein also mentioned that various stakeholders, including the owners, other members of the hierarchy, and head coach Eddie Howe, will have input into the decision. While it’s prudent for the club to make the final decision, Howe’s input, given his regard for Ashworth, will likely be considered

Ornstein highlighted that Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s criticism of Newcastle has indeed been taken note of at St James’ Park.