Dan Ashworth takes gardening leave as he tells Newcastle he wants to join Manchester United

Newcastle have put Dan Ashworth on gardening leave after informing them he wants to become Manchester United's new sporting director.

talkSPORT understands Ashworth has a one-year notice clause in his contract, meaning he will not be able to start work at Old Trafford for another 12 months unless the two clubs reach an agreement.

Newcastle are seeking a significant compensation payment of more than £10m, but united man They hope to reach a compromise that will allow Ashworth to start work sooner.

He first alerted the Newcastle hierarchy and manager Eddie Howe of interest from Man United last week.

Man United are hoping to land Ashworth for the summer transfer window in what could be a big spending period for them.

Ashworth joined Newcastle from Brighton in 2022, where he served as technical director, but the Magpies are now preparing for his departure. Man United's interest in Ashworth was first reported by talkSPORT in December 2023.

The former Football Association bigwig was confirmed as Newcastle's director of football in February 2022, but served a period of gardening leave before joining the Toon in the summer.

In his short time on Tyneside, Ashworth has helped Newcastle secure a number of key signings, including a cut-price deal for Nick Pope and a club record transfer involving Alexander Isak.

Meanwhile, Anthony Gordon was signed in January 2023 from Everton and has enjoyed a sublime season.

Magpies boss Howe has admitted he is unhappy with Ashworth's possible impending departure.

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“Yes, it's quite an unusual situation,” Howe said in his pre-match press conference on Friday ahead of Newcastle's draw against Bournemouth.

“Normally there is speculation about player transfers, this is very different. Whatever happens, we want a quick resolution.

“It's difficult because when you're in that role you need longevity to really see the fruits of your labor, it's a long-term position.

“I think the people who have done better in the Premier League over time have always had a period of stability.

“Change takes a long time in any football club for those processes to be exactly how you want them to be.”

At Brighton, Ashworth established a recruitment system that has flourished since his departure, demonstrating his ability to create effective structures within clubs.

Ashworth began his career as academy director at Peterborough United before becoming sporting director of West Brom in 2007.

He was poached by the FA in 2013 and spent five years working with Roy Hodgson and Gareth Southgate to establish an excellent football structure.

His greatest success at Brighton and Newcastle has earned him a reputation as one of the game's most intelligent operators and he is now set for perhaps his biggest challenge yet at Old Trafford.

It is understood that if Ashworth completes his move to Man United, he will look to sign Chelsea analyst Kyle Macaulay as well as Ipswich manager Sam Williams.