Newcastle United are now expecting that one of their key figures will stay at the club in January despite rumours linking him elsewhere.
Dan Ashworth has been linked with a move to Manchester United following Jim Ratcliffe’s 25% investment into the club alongside David Brailsford, a friend of Ashworth.
On Pod On The Tyne, Chris Waugh made the claim that Ashworth is set to stay at Newcastle for January at least, but if he does leave they’re sure to want ‘significant compensation’.
Man United’s interest will not impact Newcastle’s January window
This January window is going to be huge for Newcastle who try to make a surge in the league in the second half of the season after a disappointing run of games in November and December.
Key additions are needed to add some depth to Eddie Howe’s squad who have often been running on empty this season and have had to deal with an unexpected number of injuries.
There was a concern that the rumours linking Ashworth to Man United could disrupt whatever business Newcastle were planning on doing in January as he is the club’s sporting director.
However, Waugh has suggested that any move Man United make for Ashworth will have to come after January while Ratcliffe’s investment will take around about another month to go through.
On the podcast, Waugh said: “In the very short-term it shouldn’t [cause complications].
“The Jim Ratcliffe investment into Man United is in theory going through but the suggestion is that it could take another four weeks or so.
“So, that takes out the whole of January and the likelihood is they’re not going to make any key moves for a sporting director until after that.
“So, Dan Ashworth is almost certainly going into a position throughout the rest of January.
“Beyond that we wait and see but Newcastle will want significant compensation for him and that’s if they even make an approach.”
Losing Ashworth would be a big blow for Newcastle
Although Waugh claims that Manchester United are yet to make an approach for Ashworth, the suggestions that Newcastle could lose their director in January is a big blow for the club who are working hard to achieve their long-term project.
Ashworth was one of the first name’s who the new owners targeted to lead the club into this new era and it would be very disappointing to see him leave just over a year after joining from Brighton.
Newcastle are already looking at alternative options for the 52-year-old, but in an ideal world they wouldn’t be losing Ashworth at all, and especially not to a direct rival.
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