Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth has admitted that Newcastle United are still interested in signing Harrison Ashby.
The Lowdown: Right-back is a priority
Despite having Kieran Trippier as the undisputed first-choice right-back, Eddie Howe appears keen to recruit a younger deputy to learn and maybe rotate into the team alongside the experienced defender.
This is because they have been heavily linked with Ashby from West Ham United since the summer, while 18-year-old Ivan Fresneda, who could join and then go back to La Liga for the remainder of the season, has also been named as reported target.
And although Spanish football expert Fernando Kallas has insisted (25:30) that Fresneda may well have already said goodbye to his teammates and the fans after his performance against Real Madrid last week, Ashby appears to still be a target.
The Latest: Ashby still wanted by Newcastle
Ashby only has seven first-team appearances under his belt but is out of contract this summer, so it’s no surprise they wish to sign him, as Sheth has suggested live on Sky Sports.
He said: “Newcastle, for their part, are also keeping an eye on the West Ham United right-back, Harrison Ashby.
“He’s a young up-and-coming player, 21 years old, hasn’t signed a new contract at the London Stadium and his contract is up in the summer.
“Now, Newcastle United, their approach has been quite consistent, because what they want to do, they don’t just simply want to just go out for the big names for big money, they want to build organically – hence trying to bring in players like Fresneda and the interest in Harrison Ashby as well.”
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The Verdict: Young signing key for the Magpies
It will be very pleasing for Newcastle fans to see that their club are not just looking for instant success by splurging ridiculous amounts of money and instead want to ensure they have players who can replace the current squad when they either retire or move on.
This will mean that when someone such as Trippier does decide it’s time to hang up his boots, the Magpies won’t be caught off guard and have to panic-buy to replace him, as they would just call upon someone such as Fresneda or Ashby in a few years’ time.
PIF may well have to decide who they take the plunge on, and they may end up going with Ashby as he is a little bit older and is more experienced at Premier League level, so would likely not require as much time to become accustomed to the physicality – as he’s previously been described as a ‘big unit’ by journalists Sam Delaney and Roshane Thomas.