‘World class’ Ineos target now wants to replace Dan Ashworth at Newcastle United

Add as preferred source on Google

Tiago Pinto is now keen on replacing Dan Ashworth at Newcastle United after links with a move to Manchester United.

Ineos have already secured one huge deal with Manchester City’s Omar Berrada agreeing to become the club’s new CEO.

More off-field moves are expected in an attempt to drive United forward both on and off the field but a deal for Dan Ashworth is tricky.

Newcastle United’s sporting director is the top target for the same job at United and he has been placed on gardening leave ahead of an expected move.

Newcastle want a huge £20million for Ashworth and there could be some tricky negotiations to come with United hoping to drive the price down.

The Magpies also need to find a replacement and one interesting name has emerged…

Tiago Pinto wants Newcastle United job

Former Roma sporting director Tiago Pinto has spoken to iNews, confirming his interest in replacing Ashworth at Newcastle.

Pinto is understood to be ‘of interest’ to Newcastle and has admitted that he would be interested in the job.

Pinto talked up the huge potential of Newcastle and has put himself in the frame having left Roma in February.

That is particularly interesting as Pinto is also thought to have been on United’s radar in recent weeks.

The Independent reported in January that Ineos were looking at Pinto as a potential appointment at Old Trafford.

United may still have Pinto in mind in case a deal for Ashworth can’t be done, but may also be hoping that Newcastle pull the trigger on a deal in order to free up Ashworth.

Who has Tiago Pinto signed?

Pinto previously worked as Benfica’s sporting director and his most eye-catching move there was to sign Darwin Nunez from Almeria.

The Uruguayan became a star at Benfica and earned the club huge money with a 2022 move to Liverpool.

Pinto moved to Roma in 2021 and secured the signing of Tammy Abraham before landing Nemanja Matic and Paulo Dybala in 2022.

Hailed as ‘world class’ at Roma, Pinto was a close ally of Jose Mourinho and the pair worked together well in Rome, often exploring the free agent and loan markets to bolster Roma.

The 39-year-old is a name to keep an eye on for the United job but his come-and-get-me plea to Newcastle makes a move to St James’ Park seem more likely right now.