Newcastle manager Eddie Howe remains confident Dan Ashworth will stay put at St. James' Park for a long time to come - despite interest from Manchester United in the transfer supremo.
With investment from Sir Jim Ratcliffe still pending, The Manchester Evening News understands Ashworth is the prime target for INEOS Group to become their sporting director at United moving forward.
Ashworth, 52, holds a similar position at their Premier League rivals having previously worked at Brighton. The minority takeover headed up by Ratcliffe, 71, is worth around £1.25billion and he will, initially, work alongside the much-maligned Glazer family at Old Trafford.
However, the Failsworth-born businessman is expected to be a little more hands-on when it comes to footballing matters. ALSO READ: Ten Hag could unleash new partnership vs West Ham ALSO READ: Ten Hag might have to repeat unpopular transfer trick A proposed shake-up would see Ashworth brought in as sporting director with INEOS also open to retaining the club's current football director, John Murtough, in a different role, alongside further changes.