Man United and Newcastle no closer to agreeing Dan Ashworth deal amid £13m valuation gulf | OneFootball

Manchester United and Newcastle are not any closer to agreeing a deal that will see Dan Ashworth complete a switch to Old Trafford.

Soon after Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s 27.7% partial investment into United got over the line, all attention for INEOS shifted towards implementing a best-in-class football structure.

Already, United had secured the services of Omar Berrada from Manchester City. Berrada is set to take over as the club’s next CEO and Richard Arnold’s long-term successor in the summer.

On Friday last week, the Red Devils officially confirmed the appointment of Jason Wilcox from Southampton. Wilcox has assumed the technical director role and has even been handed his first assignment by Ratcliffe.

United identified Ashworth as their primary target to occupy a maiden sporting director role. In response to interest from the 20-time English champions, Ashworth informed his Newcastle bosses that he wishes to leave to spearhead Ratcliffe’s ambitious project.

Angered and annoyed by the turn of events, the Magpies placed their executive on gardening leave. So far, attempts by United to find a resolution have borne no fruit and it seems like Erik ten Hag’s side will head into the summer transfer window without Ashworth in situ.

A previous report covered by The Peoples Person relayed that Ratcliffe even held talks with Newcastle co-owner Amanda Staveley to try and reach middle ground but it appears those conversations were equally unproductive.

An update provided by The Telegraph has given more details of the standoff between United and Newcastle. It’s understood that the Tyneside outfit want a combined sum of £20m to allow Ashworth to circumvent his notice period and start work at United immediately. Meanwhile, Ratcliffe and INEOS are prepared to only fork out a guaranteed fee in the region of £2m.

The newspaper states, “Manchester United remain at least £13 million apart from Newcastle in their negotiations over a compensation agreement for sporting director Dan Ashworth, Telegraph Sport understands.”

“Newcastle want around £15 million plus a further £5 million in add-ons for Ashworth, who is currently on gardening leave after stepping down as the club’s sporting director in February amid the interest from Old Trafford.”

“United are proposing compensation around the £2 million mark, similar to the fee Newcastle paid to prise Ashworth away from Brighton two years ago and less than the £4 million reported at the time.”

James Ducker adds, “United feel their approach for Ashworth is no different to the way Newcastle pursued the former Football Association technical director when he was at Brighton and have been surprised by the Tyneside club’s financial demands.”

United may be convinced to slightly increase their £2m offer but senior figures are still adamant they will not be held to ransom by Newcastle.

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