Manchester United unlikely to pay £20million asking price for Dan Ashworth
Manchester United have shocked the football world in recent weeks with their astute business. Omar Berrada’s appointment from Manchester City was something that was lauded in many top clubs across the country, and it’s expected that their decision to go after Dan Ashworth is getting the same sort of reactions. Except of course in the Newcastle hierarchy.
Newcastle have placed Ashworth on gardening leave due to him relaying his decision to the club yesterday that he intended to leave for Manchester United. The Geordies are demanding £20million for their sporting director, but it’s a sum INEOS are unlikely to budge to pay.
United Unlikely To pay £20million:
Manchester United are already short changed on the FFP regulations and paying a £20million sum for a sporting director is unlikely to be something the club believe is a good idea. The Magpies are visibly affected by Ashworth’s decision to step down as sporting director, and are trying to get as much compensation as they possibly can.
Brighton allowed the former England director to leave for Tyneside for a fee of £5million, and just three months of gardening leave. Reports have suggested United would prefer to pay in the region of £10million to land Ashworth early, but they are prepared to wait it out as they do not want to be held for ransome when paying for him.
What has Ashworth Done?
Dan Ashworth has done great work at West Bromwich Albion, the England national team, Brighton & Hove Albion and now of course Newcastle United. During his time at West Brom, the club won two promotions to the Premier League and also finished 11th and 10th in the top flight in back to back seasons. Players like Peter Odemwingie, Ben Foster, Craig Dawson, Shane Long Romelu Lukaku and Youssouf Mulumbu were all signed for the club during Ashworth’s time at the Hawtorns.
The fruits of the 52-year old’s work behind the scenes at St.George’s Park is still being realised today. Ashworth is one of the creators of the “England DNA” system which helps to create a winning mentality across the mens and womens team at all age groups for the Three Lions. He would spend six years at the FA, before resigning and going to a role that at the time Gary Neville felt was a step back, at Brighton.
When Ashworth came into the club, Brighton were 17th. By the time he had left, the Seagull’s were heading towards 6th position under a world class manager in the shape of Roberto De Zerbi. Brighton have built a reputation for one of the most astute negotiators in the game. The club have gotten fees like £56million for Marc Cucurella, £55million for Alexis Mac Allister, £115million for Moises Caicedo. Ashworth wasn’t at the club for the sales of the latter two, but he did build the foundations behind the scenes, and also signed the two players for a combined fee of £13million. Leandro Trossard’s sale to Arsenal also saw the club make profit.
There will be more to come on the front of sales too. Kaoru Mitoma is now a £50million pound player, having signed from Japanese club Kawasaki Frontale in 2021.
Finally, his signings at Newcastle have been nothing short of remarkable. Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon, Sven Botman. Three top signings that have completely changed the landscape at St. James Park for a long time to come due to their age and quality. Manchester United have a history, a long long history, of getting made a mockery of in the transfer market. The signature of Dan Ashworth will turn them from a laughing stock into the best dealers in English football.
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