Newcastle United pushing to agree £21m deal with Premier League rivals Man Utd
Newcastle United is seeking substantial compensation from Manchester United to allow sporting director Dan Ashworth to make the transition to Old Trafford.
Following an approach from Manchester United, Ashworth was placed on gardening leave by Newcastle United last month. While Ashworth has expressed a desire to join Manchester United in a similar capacity, clauses in his contract with Newcastle have complicated the process.
Ashworth’s contract does not include a specific release clause, and his gardening leave is slated to extend until January 2026 unless an agreement is reached between Newcastle and Manchester United to terminate his contract prematurely. Despite Newcastle’s previous agreement with Brighton & Hove Albion leading to Ashworth’s appointment in June 2022, negotiations with Manchester United have proved challenging. Newcastle is standing firm on their valuation, reportedly seeking a compensation fee of approximately £21 million. Co-owner Amanda Staveley is leading negotiations on behalf of Newcastle.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, a minority owner of Manchester United, has criticized Newcastle’s demands, describing them as “silly” and questioning the rationale behind leaving a skilled professional such as Ashworth idle for an extended period.
Newcastle’s insistence on a substantial compensation fee reflects their concerns about Ashworth’s intimate knowledge of the club’s transfer strategies and operations falling into the hands of a rival club. Magpies head coach Eddie Howe has echoed these concerns as he prepares to assume control of the club’s transfers this summer.
Newcastle’s plan involves Ashworth playing no role in recruitment at any club during the summer transfer window. Instead, they aim to negotiate an arrangement with Manchester United that would see Ashworth joining the club later in the year.
Meanwhile, Ashworth’s gardening leave has allowed progress in contract negotiations with Brazilian midfielder Joelinton, who is reportedly close to agreeing to a new deal with Newcastle.
As Newcastle continues its search for Ashworth’s replacement, AFC Bournemouth’s Richard Hughes has emerged as a potential candidate. Hughes, who currently serves as technical director at AFC Bournemouth, has announced his intention to step down from his role at the end of the season.