Newcastle United are closing in on signing West Ham United right-back Harrison Ashby in January rather than the summer.
According to Daily Mirror, as relayed by HITC, Newcastle United are pushing ahead to sign Harrison Ashby off West Ham United ahead of the January transfer window. The Magpies are ready to accelerate the deal and sign the promising Scottish youngster now rather than in the summer.
Harrison Ashby is a player on the radars of many Premier League clubs. The West Ham United defender has seemingly given up on making the grade at the London Stadium, although the Hammers are keen to retain his services.
Amid a complicated situation at West Ham, Ashby is reportedly considering leaving the club following heavy interest from clubs like Leeds United and Newcastle United. The young defender knows he will not be an automatic starter at either team but believes his prospects are better there than in London.
Newcastle United have chased Ashby for a few months and could formalise their interest with an offer before January. The Magpies could sign the right-back next month rather than during the summer, which was their original plan. The defender might be happy to depart the club to join the Magpies and further his career.
Eddie Howe is in the market for critical talents in various positions. For now, they are a bit relaxed about the right-back slot. Kieran Trippier is their primary choice in the place, but the club looks to plan for the future.
That is not to say Ashby is considered the bonafide successor to Trippier, but they can contend for the position. Howe will begin his experiment with the West Ham defender but could sign other players, too, as competition. Ashby looks like a bet the Magpies want to take. Even the financial viability of the deal also makes a move attractive for them.
West Ham will not like losing a promising player on the cheap, especially to a Premier League rival. Ashby has only played once for West Ham in the Premier League and is unlikely to stake a claim for a regular place.
