Man Utd: ‘Furious’ Newcastle ‘demand unprecedented’ fee for Ashworth after making ‘angry’ threat
According to reports, Newcastle United are âfuriousâ at Manchester United and have âdemanded an unprecedentedâ fee for Dan Ashworth.
The 52-year-old is regarded as one of the best directors in world football and has been praised for his work at Brighton and Newcastle.
PIF identified Ashworth as one of their top targets following their takeover and he officially joined the club at the start of 2022.
However, it has been indicated in recent months that his spell at Newcastle could be short-lived as new Man Utd co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is pursuing him.
Last week, it was reported that Man Utd expect to âreach an agreementâ with Ashworth shortly and it was announced on Sunday evening that Newcastle have placed him on gardening leave.
A report from The Times has indicated that âNewcastle will tell Man Utd they want ÂŁ15 million to release Ashworth from his 20-month gardening leave periodâ. They explain.
âThe Times has also learnt that Newcastle officials, furious at the manner of Manchester Unitedâs approach for Ashworth, immediately blocked any access the 52-year-old had to the clubâs computer programmes and scouting reports.
âAshworthâs gardening leave will last for 20 months unless Ratcliffe can broker a peace deal and a compensation figure to commence his employment before 2025.
âThe Times understands that figure is ÂŁ15 million, which would be an unprecedented figure for a director of football. Sources say that without an agreement, Newcastleâs anger is such that they are prepared to bide their time and let Ashworth wait for more than a year and a half on gardening leave before he can begin the new role at Manchester United.
âNewcastleâs ire has been intensified by the fact Manchester United have still not made an official approach to them about Ashworth, the news of which was left to Ashworth, who finally informed senior figures at the club of his desire to leave on Sunday.â
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The Telegraph believe Newcastle want ÂŁ20m from Ashworth for Man Utd. The report adds.
âTelegraph Sport understands that Newcastle will now insist on a compensation fee of more than ÂŁ20 million if Manchester United want him to start work before the stipulated length of his gardening leave, as Ashworthâs contractually agreed period in which he is unable to work for another top Premier League club is twice as long as initially thought.
âThat sum to release him from his contract is unheard of for a director of football but Newcastle have always maintained they were very well protected as soon as Manchester Unitedâs interest was known in the 52-year-old.â
When asked about Man Utdâs interest in Ashworth, Erik ten Hag has insisted that it is âvery importantâ for him to be âalignedâ with the sporting director.
âI think it is very important you are on one page about football philosophy, about football tactics, about the profiles of the players you need in the team so it is very important to have very good communication so you get the right players,â Ten Hag told reporters.
âIt is one of the most important factors to develop a good team, that you have the right players but also the right characters.
âThat means you have to do the right work and be aligned and itâs a long process to get the right players in.â