Newcastle United are demanding an eight-figure compensation amount to end Dan Ashworth’s gardening leave, and Luton Town captain Tom Lockyer has asked Manchester United to pay it.
Manchester United have been urged to ‘just get it done’ as Newcastle United maintain their demands to shorten Dan Ashworth’s notice period.
Ashworth was placed on gardening leave after alerting Newcastle that he wanted to leave the Magpies after only 20 months as sports director. Darren Eales stated the club was ‘naturally saddened’ with Ashworth’s decision, despite the CEO earlier being ‘hopeful’ the 52-year-old would stay at St James’ Park indefinitely.
However, Newcastle are not about to give up as Manchester United negotiates a compensation deal. Eddie Howe cautioned, ‘we are very protective of what’s ours,’ and Newcastle are demanding an eight-figure price of up to £20 million to release Ashworth from his contractual duties.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe described the requests as “silly,” and the Manchester United co-owner went so far as to declare that the possibility of Ashworth “sitting in his garden” for up to two years was “absurd.” Tom Lockyer, on the other hand, mirrored Gary Neville’s comments – the Manchester United great believed coughing up could prevent his former side from ‘spending another £100m on foolish moves in the next transfer window’ – as the Luton skipper provided a player’s perspective.
“The players will be aware of what’s going on but, for me, if that’s the route you’re going to go down, £20 million, what’s that nowadays?” he was quoted as saying by the BBC. When asked if that was the cost of a backup right-back, Lockyer replied, “Exactly.” Simply get it done. If I’m Manchester United and they want him in, just do it.”
