Dan Ashworth has asked to leave Newcastle United amid interest from Manchester United in making him their sporting director.

Ashworth, 52, informed Newcastle United of his decision on Sunday.

The Athletic reported on Wednesday that Ashworth informed Newcastle United of Manchester United’s approach after the Old Trafford club made him their top target.

Formal contact is yet to take place between the clubs, although that is anticipated soon.

The matter is complicated by Ashworth being under contract on Tyneside and that makes it likely Manchester United would need to pay significant compensation to secure his services.

Ashworth joined Newcastle United after resigning from his post as technical director at Brighton & Hove Albion in February 2022, then serving three months of gardening leave.

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He moved to Brighton in 2019 following a spell as technical director at the Football Association, where he started in 2012 and played a key role in the development of the men’s and women’s national teams.

Ashworth has generated a strong reputation in areas such as player recruitment and the building of high-performance structures, which would be important remits if this potential switch happens.

It would come against the backdrop of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, chairman and founder of the petrochemical company INEOS, agreeing a deal to purchase a 25 per cent stake in the Premier League side from the Glazer family.

That deal has been approved by the Premier League and the FA, but is still contingent upon the closure of the tender offer.

Ratcliffe’s deal was announced by Manchester United on December 24 and INEOS is already making its mark at the club, with Omar Berrada to arrive as their new chief executive in the summer from neighbours Manchester City.

Accompanying Berrada on the new board are INEOS’ CEO Jean-Claude Blanc and director of sport Sir David Brailsford.

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(Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)