According to reports, sporting director Dan Ashworth is taking Newcastle United to arbitration to help facilitate his move to Manchester United.
Newcastle snatched from Premier League rivals Brighton in 2022 but he is already looking to leave St James Park amid interest from Man Utd.
The 53-year-old is regarded as one of the best sporting directors in football and he has been identified by INEOS chief and co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe as a top target as he attempts to overhaul their recruitment model.
Newcastle are unwilling to let Ashworth go easily as they are demanding £20m as part of a compensation package.
Man Utd are unwilling to meet this asking price but they have been in negotiations with their Premier League rivals over a compromise.
Earlier this week,
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.
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.
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Ashworth using third party to break impasse
The Athletic s David Ornstein provided an update on Thursday evening. He confirms that there s no agreement between the two clubs so Ashworth is taking his current club to arbitration to facilitate his move and break the impasse .
