Dan Ashworth is believed to have already started preparing for his new job at Man United as he targets two players who he had wanted to sign for Newcastle United.
From the moment he announced his desire to leave the club Newcastle knew that they would not only be losing a key figure to a direct Premier League rival but that he’d be taking everything he’d done at the club with him.
A new report from Interlive is claiming that the sporting director is hoping to make Nicolo Barella and Gleison Bremer two of his first signings in his new role at Man United.
Ashworth delivers transfer blow to Newcastle
There hasn’t been any fresh reports linking Newcastle to the Serie A duo so they won’t be missing out in the race to sign them, but they will know it’s still a huge blow in their long-term transfer plans.
Everything Newcastle have worked on over the last couple of years will have gone through Ashworth and he will be able to take all of that information to his new employers, encouraging them to make similar signings.
Newcastle, of course, are already on the hunt for a new director and will be hoping to find one as soon as possible so they can begin making new plans for the summer window and beyond.
Bremer and Barrella are two very talented players who Newcastle no doubt would have loved to have added to their squad, but even if they were hoping to return in the summer it now looks like they’ll have a lot of competition to deal with.
Newcastle desperate for new director
Ashworth’s departure has been the first big blow that Newcastle have really had to deal with under the new ownership after being quite fortunate in how smoothly things have gone since taking over.
However, unlike in years gone by when they’ve lost key figures or players, Newcastle are in a very strong position still and can attract a top quality replacement in the very near future.
There are several rumours suggesting that former Southampton and Tottenham director Paul Mitchell could be one of their targets while it’s also believed they are interested in Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes as well.
Only time will tell who they want to take over at the club, but they’ve certainly got the financial muscle to make almost anything happen.
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