Dan Ashworth takes extraordinary legal measure to force through move to Man United | OneFootball

Dan Ashworth is reportedly set to take his employer, Newcastle United, to arbitration as he seeks to force through a move to Manchester United.

Following the completion of his partial investment into United in February, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS’ attention quickly shifted attention towards securing Ashworth’s services. Ashworth is understood to be Ratcliffe’s number one target to assume a maiden sporting director role at Old Trafford.

United formally approached the Magpies for their executive, who then proceeded to tell his bosses at St James’ Park that he wishes to join Ratcliffe’s project.

Annoyed and angered by the situation, Eddie Howe’s side responded by immediately placing Ashworth on gardening leave.

Newcastle are thought to want a combined compensation package worth £20million in order to allow their transfer and recruitment guru to circumvent his notice period and start work at United immediately.

A recent report covered by The Peoples Person relayed that United have offered the Tyneside outfit £2 million – a fee they consider fair and which is similar to what they paid to prise him away from Brighton two years ago.

United remain adamant they will not be held to ransom by Newcastle and the 20-time English champions are prepared to wait as long as necessary to eventually land their main man. The downside of this is that it’s looking increasingly likely that Ashworth will not be in place to oversee INEOS’ first summer transfer window at Old Trafford.

Amidst the ongoing standoff, it seems that Ashworth has grown exasperated by the situation occasioned by Newcastle’s ridiculous demands and has decided to take matters into his own hands.

David Ornstein of The Athletic states that the 53-year-old is ready to pursue legal action to break the deadlock and finalize a move to United.

Ornstein states, “Dan Ashworth is set to take Newcastle United to arbitration to help facilitate his move to Manchester United.”

“Newcastle were seeking as much as £20million in compensation but with United unwilling to meet that figure the matter is now on course to be decided by a third party. It is anticipated the case will start in May and take a number of weeks.”

Meanwhile, Newcastle are already exploring alternatives for Ashworth and have an eye on Dougie Freedman of Crystal Palace, who is also on Ratcliffe’s radar for a head of recruitment role at United.

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