Dan Ashworth leaving Newcastle to join Man United was always going to be a fraught negotiation, and nothing that has happened so far has changed the perception of what’s going on behind the scenes.
It’s been weeks now since Ashworth was put on gardening leave, and Magpies owners the Saudi Public Investment Fund hold all the aces in this particular deal.
With the organisation believed to have a wealth of financial reserves, there’s simply no need for them to allow Ashworth to leave for peanuts.
Negotiations continue for Dan Ashworth
From Ashworth’s point of view, he’ll surely be ultra-keen to get on with the job in hand at Old Trafford.
Indeed, Man United’s project can’t really get going in earnest until Ashworth is in place.
“Sticking with Man United, the negotiation with Newcastle is still ongoing for Dan Ashworth,” Fabrizio Romano said to CaughtOffside for his exclusive Daily Briefing.
“It’s not been easy, as expected, but Man United are still working to have Ashworth and Jason Wilcox as soon as possible.
“This delay can of course make the process slower in terms of the club’s strategy, but the vision will always be there thanks to the co-owners and new people at the club.”
Omar Berrada has joined as Man United’s new CEO and negotiations are also ongoing for Jason Wilcox to come on board. However, without Ashworth in situ, the club can’t move forward.
It leaves the former Newcastle man in a sort of professional limbo at present, and the longer it continues the worse for all concerned.
One can understand PIF’s reasons for playing hard ball of course. No club should just be allowed to ride roughshod over one of their competitors for their best staff and expect them to accept it.
That said, it also does the Magpies no favours to be dragging out the situation either.
The likelihood of an agreement being reached isn’t in question, it’s more about the timing of the same.
The sooner Man United get Ashworth through the door, the quicker they can begin to evolve their new strategy.
If they are genuinely unable to procure him until 2025, that puts a real spoke in the works of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s project.