Newcastle United are pushing to finalise a move to ban a Premier League rival from buying their players.

The Magpies are in the process of letting sporting director Dan Ashworth join Manchester United.

When he joins is unclear, given he is on gardening leave and Man United would have to pay a big clause in his contract to secure him immediately.

However, iNews states that any deal taking him to Old Trafford would involve a clause barring him from signing Newcastle players.

Given they will not be in any European competition next season, barring a dramatic rise in the Premier League table, Newcastle are wary of losing players.

The likes of Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak may not want to stick around for next season.