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Manchester United’s pursuit of sporting director Dan Ashworth’s priority target is at risk of further complications after details emerged of a meeting he held with a Wolverhampton Wanderers official.
Ashworth has been on garden leave since February when he informed Newcastle of his intention to leave and become part of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s project at United.
His employers did not appreciate United’s approach to their chief executive nor his desire to leave them in favor of joining a direct Premier League rival.
Since then, talks have been held between Newcastle and United in an attempt to find a solution to the matter, but have so far proved unproductive.
A recent report covering The Peoples Person states that the Magpies now want £15m plus add-ons to allow Ashworth to bypass the release clause and start work at Old Trafford immediately. For their part, United offered a derisive sum of just £3 million.
There is a significant valuation gap between the two sides and no clear end seems in sight.
Last month, the Red Devils were rocked by allegations of a potential move for Ashworth while he is still under contract with Newcastle.
A report by The Mail revealed that Ashworth sent an email to Newcastle United’s address and in the process accidentally revealed that he had spoken to Omar Berrada – the man on track to become United’s next chief executive and Richard Arnold’s long-term successor.
It is also reported that Ashworth may have shared confidential information about his Newcastle contract with Berrada.
And the news has now revealed fresh details of a secret meeting Ashworth had with Wolves sporting director Matt Hobbs, which could also derail his move to United.
The outlet explains: “Dan Ashworth is understood to have had a meeting at Wolves training after being placed on garden leave by Newcastle United earlier this year without informing his employers.”
“I understand that Ashworth met Wolves sporting director Matt Hobbs at the club’s Sir Jack Hayward Training Ground in March, a few weeks after he left Newcastle.”
“The revelation that Ashworth met an elder at another Premier League club while on a garden holiday could further complicate an already acrimonious matter as Newcastle try to defend their position at an arbitration hearing.”
“Manchester United sources insist that Ashworth’s meeting at Wolves had nothing to do with them and that he was acting in a personal capacity, as his teenage son is an academy player at the club. During his visit to Wolves, Ashworth also had a brief chat with manager Gary O’Neill following a chance encounter.”
“Wolves sources have indicated that as sporting director Hobbs is not in the habit of meeting one-on-one with the parents of academy players as his main remit is the first team, although he is understood to have a good professional relationship with Ashworth.”
I note that United were privately informed of Ashworth’s meeting with Hobbs around the time Erik ten Hag’s side were linked with O’Neil.
There is no indication that Ashworth was involved or even aware of United’s interest in O’Neill as a potential replacement for Ten Hag.
note that both United and Newcastle have been contacted for comment in this regard.
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