Newcastle United have reportedly agreed on a fee with West Ham United to sign highly-rated swashbuckling defender Harrison Ashby.
Newcastle United have finally agreed on a deal to sign long-standing target and West Ham United youngster Harrison Ashby. That is according to Sky Sports journalist Keith Downie, who claims the Magpies have agreed to a fee in the region of £3 million, including add-ons and performance-related clauses.
The Hammers are said to have included a sell-on clause in the deal for the Scotland youth international. Ashby is on his way to Tyneside for a medical and is expected to complete his switch to Tyneside in the next 24 hours.
Newcastle United have had a slow January transfer window compared to this time last season. Indeed, that was Eddie Howe and the new owners’ first window at the then-relegation-battling club, so there was a desperate need for firefighters to inject some freshness.
Last January, the Tyneside outfit made as many as five winter additions. All of those men have had a big impact on Howe’s side over the last year or so. But the former Bournemouth boss has been keen to shape the side to his liking and bring the average age of the squad down in recent transfer windows.
It appears the Magpies are set to end the winter transfer window with a late flourish as the Toon’s ambitious owners look to get the job done in terms of reinforcements to provide Eddie Howe & Co. with the best chance to achieve the Champions League qualification dream.
The Magpies have already announced the signing of highly-coveted English talent Anthony Gordon from Everton in a big-money deal worth a reported £40 million upfront fee plus £5 million in bonuses.
Newcastle have now all but completed the capture of another long-term target, West Ham’s 21-year-old Harrison Ashby, who seems to be heading to Newcastle to undergo medical checks as an agreement has been reached with the Hammers on a £3 million deal for the player, whose Irons’ deal was set to run out in the summer.
The Tynesiders chased Ashby during the last summer transfer window but were unable to prise him away from the London Stadium. Recent reports have suggested that Newcastle went in with another offer for the right-back earlier this month, but once again, West Ham rejected this new offer.
However, the Hammers have to begrudgingly accept the Magpies’ latest offer, with the player refusing to pen fresh terms at the London Stadium and insistent on a move to the North-East. It has been well documented that Eddie Howe wanted to bring in a young right-back to initially serve as cover and learn from Kieran Trippier.
Ashby looks like a really top talent who has a bright future ahead of him and would be a quality addition for them in the long run. Fast, strong, a good crosser, and one who likes to get forward, the 21-year-old has several modern full-back attributes, and a manager like Eddie Howe could help him fulfil his potential.
The Newcastle boss has built a reputation for nurturing young talent from his time at Bournemouth, and the Scottish Under-21 international could develop further under his management.
