Manchester United minority investor Sir Jim Ratcliffe has met with Amanda Staveley of Newcastle United.

Ratcliffe, who controls sporting operations at the club, wants to hire Dan Ashworth as sporting director.

However, Newcastle have placed him on gardening leave for up to a year unless the Red Devils pay hefty compensation.

Per The Times, Staveley and Ratcliffe are said to have engaged in conversation about the issue.

There is a hope that some agreement can be reached on the fee to take Ashworth to Old Trafford.

Newcastle want up to £20 million to let him go before his official gardening leave is up.