Man Utd will have to spend a whopping £20 million to sign Dan Ashworth
MANCHESTER UNITED are facing a £20million bill to lure transfer guru Dan Ashworth to Old Trafford.
According to reports, Newcastle's sporting director has asked United to leave St James' Park following his side's 2-2 draw with Bournemouth on Saturday.
However, De Toon will demand compensation if he moves before the end of his contract.
Ashworth's current contract does not expire until 2026.
And The Telegraph claim Newcastle will demand a package of at least £20million if the Red Devils want him to return to work before the stipulated duration of his gardening leave.
That amount of money to dismiss a football director from his role is virtually unheard of in modern football.
Newcastle stood firm when Man Utd's interest in the 52-year-old was revealed.
They claimed they were “very well protected” if a rival attempt took Ashworth from them.
According to The Athletic, the ex-Brighton technical director has already been placed on gardening leave.
Football correspondent Daniel Ornstein wrote on X: “Dan Ashworth has been placed on garden leave by Newcastle.
“Follows request to leave as sporting director and join Man Utd. #NUFC wants £20m, 52 years on full pay. #MUFC is ready to wait as they have no intention of paying what they deem unrealistic @TheAthleticFC.”
The news comes after Eddie Howe revealed his fears that Ashworth will steal Newcastle's transfer secrets and take them to Manchester United.
Tell him it doesn't bode well if Ashworth is privy to sensitive information. Howe said: “Your concerns are relevant and I share the views.
'He is in a position of power, with a lot of intelligence and information.
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“I want a quick fix, but it's out of my control.
“A line has to be drawn and things have to move forward.”
SunSport exclusively revealed that Ashworth is already considering who will be part of his Old Trafford side, looking to hire chief analyst Kyle Macaulay, who currently works for Chelsea.