West Ham working on deal to appoint former Manchester United sporting director Dan Ashworth | OneFootball

West Ham are reportedly “working on a deal” to secure the services of former Manchester United sporting director Dan Ashworth.

Ashworth left United in December last year after just five months in the job.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS pursued him for weeks, eventually prying him from Newcastle but his transition to Old Trafford was not smooth.

It emerged that Ashworth did not see eye to eye with other executives, including Ratcliffe himself, on a number of issues including Erik ten Hag’s sacking and the choice of candidates to replace the Dutch coach.

A report covered by The Peoples Person also claimed that Ashworth was against redundancies in the football and scouting department – something Ratcliffe wanted as part of his bid to slash operational costs at United.

Ashworth has been working for Warwickshire Cricket Club in recent weeks, advising on performance strategy in a consultancy capacity.

David Ornstein of the Athletic recently revealed that the 54-year-old is in contention to become Arsenal’s next sporting director.

Now, Football Insider state that West Ham are also attempting to lure Ashworth to their ranks.

The Hammers are on the hunt for a new sporting director following the departure of Tim Steidten in February, after a two-and-a-half-year stint.

Steidten was held responsible for West Ham’s transfer business in the summer, in which they spent £130million on new signings.

The appointment of Ashworth at West Ham would reunite him with Graham Potter, whom he worked with successfully at Brighton and Hove Albion.

Meanwhile, United are back in action on Sunday when they host Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal at Old Trafford.

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