According to reports, Manchester United and Newcastle United remain significantly apart in their negotiations for sporting director Dan Ashworth.
are in the process of overhauling their recruitment model ahead of next season following Sir Jim Ratcliffe s purchase of a minority stake in the Premier League giants.
Omar Berrada has been brought in from Manchester City to become their new chief executive and
The Red Devils are also eyeing Ashworth, who has been Newcastle s sporting director since 2022.
was identified as a top target by Newcastle following PIF s takeover but he has a close relationship with Ratcliffe and is keen to join Man Utd.
The 53-year-old has been placed on gardening leave by Newcastle, who are demanding a huge compensation package of around £20m.
Unsurprisingly, Man Utd are unwilling to meet this asking price and they have been in talks with their Premier League rivals over a compromise.
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Man Utd, Newcastle remain far apart
According to a report from The Telegraph, Man Utd are still at least £13 million apart from Newcastle.
It is noted that Newcastle want around £15 million plus a further £5 million in add-ons for Ashworth , but Man Utd are proposing compensation around the £2 million mark, similar to the fee paid to prise him away from Brighton two years ago and less than the £4 million reported at the time .
📣 Should United just pay up to get Ashworth to work?
The report also claims Man Utd would only be willing to pay a small uplift on that £2m figure and they have made a private claim about their pursuit of Ashworth.
Unless there is a significant softening of Newcastle’s stance, there is little expectation at Old Trafford of Ashworth starting before the summer but they are prepared to sit tight if necessary.
It is understood United would be willing to pay a small uplift on that £2 million figure if there was the prospect of bringing in Ashworth before the summer but they have no intention of being strong-armed.
