Ashworth set to battle Boehly after 'making mind up on first Man Utd target'
Dan Ashworth wants to bring Brighton's head of recruitment, Sam Jewell, with him to Manchester United - although Chelsea are also intent on acquiring his services.
United have already made significant changes behind the scenes since Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos took charge of football operations at the club and appointing a sporting director remains high on their agenda.
Ashworth, 52, has been identified as a top target as a result of his impressive body of work at Newcastle and in previous roles with Brighton and The Football Association. While the Magpies would be loathe to lose Ashworth, it emerged earlier this week that the opportunity to take on a role at a club of United's stature would appeal to the former FA chief - and it now seems as though he's already making plans for life at United.
A new report from ESPN has revealed that Ashworth will be tasked with overseeing a rebuild of Manchester United's scouting department should he join the club and that Jewell, the son of ex-Premier League manager Paul Jewell, is Ashworth's choice to lead said new team.
Jewell, 32, was initially hired by Ashworth back in 2016 as the club's head of U21 recruitment. He has since been promoted to his current role, where he heads up Brighton's transfer regime.
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While Ashworth would like Jewell to join him at Old Trafford, the Seagulls chief has other suitors in the Premier League. Chelsea also have designs on poaching Jewell and have already made an official approach to Brighton, per The Telegraph.
Blues chief Todd Boehly has pinched a host of talent from Brighton in recent seasons, including co-sporting director Paul Winstanley. Coincidentally, his role at the Amex was filled by Jewell.
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Chelsea are also interested in acquiring Jewell from Brighton (Dan Weir / MatchDay Images Limited)The same report goes on to detail that United are now locked in talks with Newcastle in an attempt to strike a deal that would see Ashworth take up a role with the club after weeks of speculation over his future.
Ashworth will have to serve a period of gardening leave before starting work with United in an official capacity unless the Red Devils are willing to further compensate Newcastle. It's noted that such a period could last up to 12 months.
Ratcliffe and Ineos moved a step closer to having their £1.25billion deal for a 25 per cent stake in Manchester United formally ratified this week after the British billionaire passed the Premier League's owners and directors test.
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