Manchester United baulk at £20m fee for Newcastle director Dan Ashworth

Magpies’ sporting director placed on gardening leave.

Manchester United are hoping to bring in Newcastle sporting director Dan Ashworth, the PA news agency understands. 

Dan Ashworth has been placed on gardening leave by Newcastle after finally telling the St James’ Park hierarchy he wants to join Manchester United. It seems the starting pistol signalling an intense period of haggling between the two clubs has been fired, with Newcastle wanting £20m in compensation.

Ashworth has only been sporting director at St James’ Park for 20 months and Newcastle’s majority Saudi Arabian owners will not allow a man they poached from Brighton depart either easily or cheaply.