Transfer chief now linked with Manchester United move after Rangers speculation

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Rangers missed out on Brighton and Hove Albion’s Sam Jewell and he could now end up taking a key role at Manchester United.

Rangers lost Ross Wilson to Nottingham Forest in April and Michael Beale took the lead on recruitment over the summer.

That really hasn’t worked as two of his signings – Sam Lammers and Jose Cifuentes – have already been sent packing on loan.

Beale’s sacking in October sparked a change of approach from Rangers.

In came Philippe Clement but Rangers decided to move for a Wilson replacement, targeting a new transfer chief to work alongside the Belgian.

Nils Koppen ended up being appointed as director of football recruitment, but only after strong links to Brighton and Hove Albion’s Sam Jewell…

Rangers wanted Sam Jewell

Reports in October suggested that Rangers had identified Jewell as the top target having emerged in the Brighton recruitment setup.

Working alongside former Gers hero David Weir as head of recruitment, Jewell has earned a burgeoning reputation on the South Coast.

Fabrizio Romano went as far to report that Rangers had made an approach for Jewell – something Rangers actually denied.

Koppen ended up being the man for Rangers and the Jewell rumours ended with confusion over the alleged pursuit.

Jewell’s name is now back in the headlines though, this time because he is being linked with a huge move to Manchester United.

ESPN claim that United are moving to make Newcastle United’s Dan Ashworth – formerly of Brighton – their new sporting director.

Ashworth would then have power to bring in other recruitment staff members around him and he is understood to be a big fan of Jewell.

That presents the chance of a move to Old Trafford with Jewell potentially in line to play a vital role in United’s new era.

Jewell – the son of former Wigan Athletic boss Paul Jewell – is clearly highly-regarded in the game and a move to United should show that Rangers were onto something by eyeing him, even if the appointment of Koppen looks to be a good one.