Dan Ashworth targets £68m for Manchester United

Manchester United face a battle to appoint Newcastle United chief Dan Ashworth as their sporting director, and reports suggest he could swoop to sign Inter Milan's Nicolo Barella and Gleison Bremer of Juventus.

Ashworth wants to move to the North West following his short spell at St James' Park, and his arrival at the Theatre of Dreams would be the latest marker in United's transition under Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Already, highly-rated Manchester City chief Omar Berrada has been acquired and is currently on gardening leave.

Ashworth has been behind Newcastle's transfer business since he swapped the South Coast for the North East in 2022, bringing the likes of Nick Pope, Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon to the club. Given the roaring successes at Newcastle along with Ashworth's previous role in Brighton & Hove Albion's impressive recruitment record, United's luck in the transfer window could be about to transform with the 52-year-old at the helm.

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Reports in Italy have suggested that the chief will make a fresh attempt for Barella once he joins United, while Ratcliffe is planning a summer squad exodus which could reach double figures ahead of a rebuild. Should a deal for Ashworth be completed, here are some of the players that United's potential inaugural sporting director could target...

Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella has been a player frequently linked with a move to the Premier League in recent seasons. Liverpool have been repeatedly mooted with the 26-year-old's services but last summer, it was Newcastle who showed the greatest interest when they launched an