Newcastle United are interested in signing young defender Harrison Ashby.
Having spent big this summer on some extremely high-profile new signings – none less so than new club-record £63m signing Alexander Isak – the Magpies could end their window with a very different type of deal.
Indeed, according to noted insider ExWHUemployee, Newcastle ‘lead the race’ for Ashby – a 20-year-old prospect who will see his contract expire at the end of the season. With the player not looking likely to sign a deal, West Ham may be forced into a sale on deadline day.
In an update shared on The West Ham Way Patreon page, the insider initially explained that the player doesn’t seem keen on signing a new deal, so West Ham may be forced into a sudden sale.
In a later update, he then added: “Newcastle have approached the club for official talks. Leeds are expected to follow. Newcastle lead the chase at this point!”
TIF Thoughts on Harrison Ashby and Newcastle…
Still only 20 years of age, the right-sided player, who has been described as a ‘very good’ player by Mark Noble, has already played for the West Ham senior team this season. Indeed, despite his contract issues, he was trusted to start in the European home clash with Viborg FF.
In total, Ashby has six senior outings with the Hammers, showing that he is one of the club’s better-rated academy prospects. With that in mind, the club won’t want to lose him just as they did Perkins.
But if he won’t agree to sign a new deal, they can at least make some money with a deadline day sale. This is where the likes of Newcastle and Leeds United seem ready to come in.
And the good news for the Toon is that they seem to be leading the race as we enter the final stages of the summer transfer window.