A Hammers insider has all but confirmed West Ham star Harrison Ashby is set for a move to Newcastle after a ‘terrible’ new twist.
West Ham fans have been extremely unhappy at the very real prospect of losing swashbuckling young full-back Harrison Ashby to newly-minted Newcastle in January.
Ashby, 20, came close to joining Newcastle United on transfer deadline day in the summer, according to The Daily Mail.
Last minute links to the likes of Ola Aina emerged as speculation intensified that young academy graduate Ashby could leave West Ham for Newcastle (The Daily Mail).
In the end the move to Newcastle did not transpire, though, and Ashby remained at West Ham, where he is said to be frustrated by his lack of first team involvement, hence his refusal to sign a new deal.
As a result the spectre of a move to the join the Magpies has not gone away.
Many Hammers supporters are loathe to lose Ashby, who has shown great promise during first team appearances over the last couple of seasons.
In the end the move to Newcastle did not transpire, though, and Ashby remained at West Ham, where he is said to be frustrated by his lack of first team involvement, hence his refusal to sign a new deal.
Ashby came on in the second half and showed just why Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, who shares the same agent as the Hammers starlet, wants him at St James’ Park.
Insider all but confirms West Ham star Harrison Ashby is set for Newcastle move after ‘terrible’ new twist
West Ham have struggled at right back with neither Vladimir Coufal or Ben Johnson performing anywhere near the required level this season. So Ashby’s frustration is somewhat understandable.
At the weekend West Ham were boosted when it was reported that Ashby could yet be persuaded to snub Newcastle after Kurt Zouma was forced to undergo knee surgery, increasing the starlet’s first team chances.
But that hope did not last long.
Now an insider has all but confirmed West Ham star Ashby is set for a Newcastle move after a ‘terrible’ new twist.
A key Hammers contact has told Claret and Hugh that the player has made it clear he wants to leave for Newcastle.
“Harrison Ashby looks certain to join Newcastle in January or at the end of his contract in June next year,” Claret and Hugh report.
“The young right back is one of the best prospects in the academy but we are being told there is no chance of him remaining with the Irons…
“Howe, meanwhile, remains very keen to take him to St James’ Park after making moves in the summer and it seems from what we are being told that a miracle will be required to keep him at the London Stadium.”
This could be a real coup for Newcastle as they will be getting one of the brightest British full-back prospects around for next to nothing.
Despite continually insisting he gives young players a chance Moyes has officially assembled the oldest squad in the entire Premier League.
Ashby leaving West Ham for Newcastle comes after hugely talented young Hammers academy striker Sonny Perkins also left the club for Leeds having grown frustrated by his lack of chances.