Dan Ashworth’s transfer hits as Man Utd close in on pinching Newcastle’s ex-Brighton chief as sporting director

Dan Ashworth joined Newcastle from Brighton ahead of the 2022-23 season. But the Magpies could be about to lose the brains behind the transfer operations.

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Arguably Ashworth's greatest ever transfer, Kaoru Mitoma has been a revelation since joining Brighton. The Japanese winger was snapped up for just £2.5m from Kawasaki Frontale in 2021.

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Moises Caicedo excelled for Brighton before his big-money move to Chelsea. Signed as a complete unknown for just £4.5m from Independiente del Valle in 2021, Chelsea splashed a British record £115m on Caicedo just 45 Prem appearances later.

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Marc Cucurella is another example of Brighton’s stunning "buy low, sell high" policy under Ashworth. He cost just £15m but was sold to Chelsea for £62m.

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Alexis Mac Allister won the World Cup while playing for Brighton. The midfielder bagged 20 goals and nine assists for Brighton who paid just £7m for him, before Liverpool came calling in a deal worth up to £52m.

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Toon fans have taken to Alexander Isak who cost a club record £60m for the Swedish striker in 2022. But Isak, 24, has scored 20 Prem goals in 39 games and has the potential to become one of the world’s best.

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Anthony Gordon has come into his own since joining Newcastle for £45m from Everton in January 2023. After a difficult start at St James’ Park, the scouser is starting to look like money well spent.

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