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Sir Jim Ratcliffe has reportedly held face-to-face talks with Newcastle United co-owner Amanda Staveley to resolve the ongoing standoff between the two clubs regarding the immediate future of Dan Ashworth.
Since Ratcliffe completed his partial 27.7% investment into United and assumed full control of sporting operations, all attention has been on implementing the right structure to usher the club into the new era. Ratcliffe has repeatedly stated that he only wishes to bring the “best-in-class” personnel to United.
Already, United secured the services of Omar Berrada from Manchester City. Berrada is set to become the Red Devils’ next CEO and Richard Arnold’s long-time successor.
Erik ten Hag’s side also identified Ashworth as their prime candidate to assume a maiden sporting director role at Old Trafford.
In February, United made an official approach for Ashworth, who subsequently expressed his desire to exit Newcastle to join Ratcliffe’s project. The Magpies, clearly irritated and upset by these developments, responded by placing their executive on gardening leave.
Newcastle are believed to want an unrealistic compensation package worth £20 million in order to allow Ashworth to circumvent his notice period and start work at United immediately.
Meanwhile, Ratcliffe and his associates have made it clear they’re not willing to pay such a sum and are even prepared to wait as long as needed to eventually land their prime choice for the sporting director job. As it stands, neither Premier League club are showing any signs of relenting or easing their hard-line stance.
According to The Times, Ratcliffe has sought to solve the matter and has met with Staveley as he seeks to reach an agreement on Ashworth’s switch to United.
The newspaper reports, “The Times can reveal, that he has sought to resolve the situation by holding talks directly with Staveley, who is a key decision-maker at St James’ Park.”
“Both clubs declined to comment on Thursday night, but it is understood that the meeting took place within the past week and negotiations are continuing in a bid to agree a deal.”
“United certainly feel that the compensation figure requested by Newcastle for Ashworth has been too high. But sources believe the announcement this week by United that John Murtough has stepped down as football director is an indication that progress is at least being made, thanks to the direct intervention of Ratcliffe.”
It remains to be seen whether Ratcliffe’s efforts will prove successful or Newcastle will continue to dig in their heels and refuse to let Ashworth leave.
Should the Tyneside outfit remain firm, Ashworth will almost certainly have to serve the 18 months of gardening leave he is required to. This means that he wouldn’t be in situ at United for the upcoming transfer window, which is INEOS’ first at the club.
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