Newcastle United shift focus to signing West Ham United sensation Harrison Ashby after £8.8m failure
Newcastle United have turned their attention to West Ham United right-back Harrison Ashby after failing to sign Real Valladolid’s Ivan Fresneda, according to Mail on Sunday.
The Daily Mail revealed (20 January) that the Magpies have seen a January approach rejected by the Hammers, as Eddie Howe eyes the out-of-contract 21-year-old.
It’s now been suggeted by the Mail’s Simon Jones (Mail on Sunday, pg. 109, 22 January) that Newcastle’s attention is now firmly on Ashby after failing to sign Fresneda, who has an £8.8million buy-out clause.
Let him go
This Ashby saga has gone on for far too long – and it’s now time for the Hammers to let the want away defender depart the London Stadium. David Moyes needs players who want to be at the club and unfortunatly the 21-year-old has shown in recent months that he is not comitted to the long-term plan.
Furthermore, he hasn’t displayed enough in the Hammers’ first team to be so rigid in his contract demands. His agent is clearly hard at work behind the scenes trying to instigate him the best deal, and it’s not a surprise to see cash-rich Newcastle linked with him.
If he does move to the North East it’s clear what his real intentions are. He would still be a backup for Howe’s side, with Kieran Trippier a shoo-in to start. If it’s minutes he’s after, then staying in East London would be his best option. Moyes isn’t exactly blessed with a plethora of in-form options at right back and there would still be a good chance for Ashby to make himself a regular for West Ham.