• Newcastle sign £28m Lewis Hall and keeper John Ruddy
• Gray poised to join Spurs with Rodon heading to Leeds

Dan Ashworth is finally free to start work as Manchester United’s sporting director after compensation was agreed with Newcastle. The former Football Association technical director was placed on gardening leave in February after it became apparent Ashworth wanted to swap St James’ Park for Old Trafford to join the new Ineos management model established by the minority co-owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

The 53-year-old joined Newcastle as sporting director from Brighton in 2022 and his exit did not go down well with them and they demanded a £20m settlement fee from United.

• North-east club determined to keep hold of star striker
• They are keen to extend his contract, which ends in 2028

Newcastle will do everything in their power to keep Alexander Isak on Tyneside and have let Chelsea and Arsenal know that it would take an astronomical offer to alter that stance.

Chelsea have made an initial inquiry for the Sweden striker but, given that club’s problems with ­meeting profitability and sus­tainability rules (PSR), there is considerable doubt at St James’ Park that they would be capable of paying a sum possibly well in excess of £100m for the 24-year-old.