Eddie Howe concerned Dan Ashworth could hand Newcastle transfer secrets to Manchester United

Dan Ashworth has been lined up by Sir Jim Ratcliffe to become Manchester United’s sporting director – Nick Potts/PA

Eddie Howe has expressed his concern over Dan Ashworth’s continued presence at Newcastle United given his expected departure for Manchester United as he is privy to so much sensitive information that can be passed on to a rival.

Howe pointedly remarked that Ashworth has not once said he wishes to stay at Newcastle after Telegraph Sport revealed the club’s hierarchy feared he wanted to leave to become sporting director at Manchester United. Ashworth has informed Newcastle he has been contacted by their Premier League rivals.

Asked if Ashworth had told anyone he wanted to stay, Howe replied bluntly with a “no” before going on to agree with a reporter who raised concerns about how information he would be able to pass on to a rival about their own intentions this summer, both in terms of contract talks with Joelinton, as well as recruitment targets.

“I think your concerns are relevant,” Howe said. I don’t know how much I can say on that but I share your opinion.

“The work [summer transfer plans] never stops. The work never stopped in the build-up to January and it won’t stop in the build-up to the summer. Recruitment is a 365-day job. It never sleeps and the processes are unchanged.

“Yes [Dan is privy to those plans] and that’s why I say he’s in a position of power, with a lot of intelligence and information. That’s why it’s a slightly unusual situation.

“I want the situation resolved quickly. but it’s not about what I want, is it? I don’t know, it’s not my decision. I’m not in control of it. At some stage there has to be a line drawn and things have to move forward. It’s better for everybody if that is the case.”

The Newcastle manager even played down Ashworth’s impact at Newcastle, saying he had not been there long enough to have a transformative effect and pointed out that their two most successful windows since the takeover by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund had occurred before Ashworth played a key role in recruitment decisions.

Ashworth and Eddie Howe (right) either side of Newcastle youngster Elliot Anderson – Serena Taylor/Getty Images

“The club will always move forward [if he goes], Howe said. “We’ve got some very good people in all departments doing some outstanding work that people don’t see.

“The club is hugely ambitious and that has never changed. I’ve got no doubt the club will be successful in the future.

“That first window was incredibly difficult and we didn’t know at the time quite how successful those players would be. But as you say [it happened before Ashworth was appointed], that was probably our most successful window and the summer one too, was very, very good and Dan had only just arrived.

“The biggest thing he did was not change anything. The biggest compliment I can give Dan when he came in – and this is difficult to do when you’re in a position of power like he is – then the natural temptation is to change everything, to come in with a big ego and say, ‘this is what we’re going to do’. He didn’t. He let the structures that were in place exist and survive and we’re still working the same way that we were in the first transfer window. We just carried on as normal. So, our recruitment has been very strong. Now that does not guarantee anything moving forward, but our recruitment will continue exactly the same way.

“It’s a difficult one [how big a blow to lose him] because when you’re in that role [director of football], I think you need longevity to actually see the fruits of your labour.

“It’s sort of a long-term position and I think the people who have done it best in the Premier League throughout time have always had a period of real stability, because change takes a long time at any football club, to get those processes exactly how you want them to be.

“Dan’s had a relatively short time here, but let’s see what happens. As I say, as I sit here now, nothing has happened.”

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Ashworth has worked as normal this week and even held scheduled meetings with scouts and other members of the recruitment team. He is also due to attend Newcastle’s home game against Bournemouth this weekend, but the fact he has not said he wants to stay has created tension behind the scenes.

Newcastle are being increasingly belligerent in their attitude and will demand a large compensation package if – as is now anticipated – Manchester United make a formal approach in the coming days. They are also likely to insist on a lengthy period of gardening leave for the 52-year-old which, in theory, could prevent him starting work at Old Trafford until 2025.

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