Sir Jim Ratcliffe has firmly set his sights on appointing Dan Ashworth as the new sporting director at Manchester United.
The 52-year-old currently works in the same position at Newcastle United so a compensation will have to be agreed — but his record proves he's worth it.
Ashworth's best deals
Ashworth's biggest successes occurred during his time as a Director of Football at Brighton, before Newcastle poached him following a Saudi takeover.
The 52-year-old oversaw the transfers of Leandro Trossard and Marc Cucurella as well as Moises Caicedo for just £4.5 million in early 2021.
Caicedo signed for Chelsea last year for a mammoth fee of £115 million, a deal that could potentially become the British transfer record.
Trossard and Cucurella left Brighton last season (for Arsenal and Chelsea, respectively) for a combined transfer fee of £90 million.
Although all three sales occurred after Ashworth's departure to Newcastle, they further prove his keen eye for under-appreciated talent.
Academy success
Ashworth worked closely with Brighton's Academy, overseeing the transitions of Ben White and Robert Sanchez to the first team before their departures a combined £75 million in transfer fees.
Highly-rated striker Even Ferguson, who has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford, joined Brighton's Academy during the 52-year-old's tenure.
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