West Ham United reject Newcastle approach for Harrison Ashby transfer in January
West Ham United have rejected an approach from Newcastle for academy graduate Harrison Ashby in the January transfer window, according to the Daily Mail.
Ashby, 21, is out of contract at the London Stadium at the end of the season and is yet to negotiate a new deal with the club, which has hinted towards an exit this month.
The right-back has failed to cement a spot in David Moyes’ plans despite Vladimir Coufal’s poor form this season as well as a lack of viable alternatives and is yet to feature in the Premier League this season.
The Hammers have already let centre-back Craig Dawson leave the club this month – with the 32-year-old set to join Wolves – but have now rebuffed Newcastle’s interest in right-back Ashby.
The report said: “The Magpies also remain interested in signing West Ham defender Harrison Ashby after seeing an approach rejected earlier this month.
“Ashby, 21, is out of contract at the London Stadium this summer and Newcastle would like to bring him to St James’ Park, but have so far failed to reach an agreement with West Ham.”
Give him a chance
After spending 12 years with West Ham in East London, Ashby would have hoped to have been given an opportunity to thrive on the Premier League stage by Moyes.
With Vladimir Coufal likely to either leave the club this month or in the summer, and Ben Johnson or Thilo Kehrer the only other option in that position, why isn’t Moyes looking to develop Ashby’s game?
The youngster has been one of the most highly regarded talents to emerge from the West Ham United academy in recent years, but his failure to break into the first-team won’t exactly instil confidence further down the club.
It is clear Ashby and his agent are keen to earn a bigger contract in East London, and hopefully, the board will oblige and give him the opportunity he deserves.
The Hammers have come back to regret their decision to allow Sonny Perkins to join Leeds in the summer, and they have clearly decided they won’t make the same mistake twice.