According to a report from iNews on March 20, Newcastle United is reportedly attempting a strategic move to prevent a Premier League rival from acquiring any of their players during the upcoming transfer window. The targeted team is believed to be Manchester United, and this move is purportedly in response to Manchester United’s pursuit of Newcastle’s sporting director, Dan Ashworth, who is currently on gardening leave from his role at Tyneside.
Negotiations are ongoing between Newcastle United and Manchester United regarding compensation for Ashworth’s potential transfer, with an agreement anticipated in the coming weeks or months before his contract expires in January 2026. However, Newcastle is apparently planning to include a clause in the agreement—dubbed a “transfer ban” clause—that would prevent Ashworth from recruiting any Newcastle players for an unspecified period should he join the rival club.
While the potential transfer of Ashworth to Manchester United is still being discussed, Newcastle’s decision to place him on gardening leave shortly after news of Manchester United’s interest emerged suggests a likely outcome. In the meantime, Newcastle’s CEO Darren Eales, along with part-owner Amanda Staveley and manager Eddie Howe, has assumed Ashworth’s responsibilities to maintain operations until a final decision is made next summer regarding the vacant positions.
Both Newcastle and Manchester United are not scheduled to face each other until the end of the month due to the ongoing international break, and they will not meet again in the Premier League for the remainder of the season.
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