Dan Ashworth has been on gardening leave from Newcastle since February. Rumour has it he now has the best garden in the UK…
According to The Telegraph, Manchester United remain at least £13 million apart from Newcastle in their negotiations over a compensation agreement for sporting director Dan Ashworth.
The Magpies are playing hardball but it’s only a matter of time before they want to replace Ashworth with a new sporting director, unless they are planning an internal appointment for the role – which may be why they are happy to play the long game over his exit.
It is understood that Newcastle want around £15m plus an additional £5m in add-ons for Ashworth.
James Ducker reports: “Sir Jim Ratcliffe, United’s new minority shareholder, held talks with Newcastle director Amanda Staveley earlier this month in a bid to break the deadlock but the two clubs still remain well apart in their valuations.”
United are proposing compensation around the £2m mark, similar to what Newcastle paid to get Ashworth from Brighton two years ago. It’s a lot of money to pay for securing a sporting director but INEOS want the best in class at Old Trafford.
That is going to come at a cost if Newcastle have anything to do with it.
United reportedly feel their approach for Ashworth is no different to the way Newcastle pursued the former Football Association technical director.
Ashworth will work with Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada when he officially joins United.
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If he sells me a Grenadier for £500, I’ll have a word with the Newcastle owners on his behalf.