Manchester United make formal offer to add Southampton's director of football Jason Wilcox to a revamped recruitment team - but the Saints are 'unhappy' with their advance

Manchester United have made a formal offer to meet Jason Wilcox’s buy-out clause at Southampton in an attempt to ensure the director of football will be in place to mastermind this summer’s transfer window at Old Trafford.

Mail Sport has learned that United have agreed to pay Southampton 12 months of Wilcox’s wages as compensation, but the Championship club are understood to be holding out for a bigger package and a deal has yet to be agreed.

Wilcox has kept a low profile at Southampton since news of United’s interest first emerged in February, but he has not been placed on formal gardening leave. 

The 52-year-old only joined the club last summer after spending 11 years working at Manchester City in various junior squads, with his last six years spent as Academy director overseeing the development of stars such as Phil Foden, Rico Lewis, Oscar Bobb and Cole Palmer.

United’s pursuit of Wilcox is in danger of becoming their second acrimonious attempt to add to their recruitment team this summer with Newcastle refusing to drop their demands for £20million in compensation to secure the release of Dan Ashworth. 

Southampton are understood to be unhappy at the timing of United’s approach given the club are battling to secure promotion to the Premier League with eight games left.

United feel they have acted professionally and respectfully in going through the formal channels to speak to Southampton about Wilcox, holding several weeks of talks before making a formal offer. 

The club view Wilcox as a key appointment who would work alongside Ashworth in the new recruitment structure being assembled by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sir Dave Brailsford.

Given Newcastle’s position United have given up hope of securing Ashworth before the summer so have made recruiting Wilcox their priority.