1 Manchester United reportedly forked out a PS10m fee to secure the services of Dan Ashworth from Newcastle United.

Earlier this week, United and Newcastle issued a joint statement confirming Ashworth's arrival at Old Trafford to assume a maiden sporting director role.

United's pursuit of Ashworth was initiated in February, soon after Sir Jim Ratcliffe completed his 27.7% partial investment into the club.

Back then, the Red Devils approached Newcastle for their executive, who in turn informed his bosses at St James' Park of his desire to join Ratcliffe's project. The Magpies responded by placing the 53-year-old on immediate gardening leave. Both clubs had been in talks to try and find a compromise but those negotiations were largely unproductive.

It's believed that Newcastle were initially demanding an unrealistic compensation package worth up to PS20 million to let Ashworth circumvent his notice period and start work at United immediately. INEOS made it clear they had no intention of parting with such a sum for non-playing personnel.

A previous report covered by The Peoples Person relayed that Newcastle had reduced their asking price to PS15 million plus add-ons for their transfer and recruitment guru but even then, United were only willing to part with PS3 million.

To unlock the stalemate over his future, Ashworth was even prepared to take his employers to arbitration.

In their joint statement, United and Newcastle stated that the terms of Ashworth's release would remain disclosed.

However, Matt Hughes of i news has revealed, "An acrimonious and potentially costly legal battle with Manchester United over Dan Ashworth has been settled, with Newcastle receiving compensation of PS10m for their former sporting director. And in a surprise announcement on Thursday the club confirmed the appointment of high-calibre replacement Paul Mitchell, who has not cost them a penny beyond wages."

"Newcastle's Saudi Arabian owners set the tone in their response to Ashworth's desire to move, and as a result have become more involved in other areas of the football business, particularly Mitchell's appointment. Chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan was adamant that Ashworth would only be allowed to leave on Newcastle's terms, as he felt personally affronted by the former FA technical director's professions of ignorance, a feeling exacerbated by what he regarded as Sir Jim Ratcliffe's insulting first compensation offer of PS2m."

"An attempt by Ratcliffe to smooth things over by courting Newcastle director Amanda Staveley in April was given short shrift by her employers, who made it clear Ashworth would only be allowed to leave when they received a suitable offer, which finally arrived last Sunday."

With Ashworth now firmly in place, United are likely to accelerate their transfer movements and activities in the market.

At the moment, the 20-time English champions seem to be primarily focused on sealing deals for Dutch duo Joshua Zirkzee and Matthijs de Ligt. Both are currently with the Netherlands national team ahead of their Euro 2024 quarter-final clash vs. Turkiye.