Sky Sports have issued a crushing update on Newcastle United’s move to sign West Ham United star Harrison Ashby.
Hugely promising young West Ham fullback Ashby was linked with a move to Newcastle over the weekend.
The Daily Mail claimed Newcastle were set to bid a paltry £2.5m for Ashby before the transfer window closes on Thursday night.
Newcastle are reportedly exploring the deal to sign the West Ham right-back after a long-term injury to Emil Krafth.
RIght-back is an area where, on the face of it, West Ham appear pretty well stocked with Vladimir Coufal, Ben Johnson and swashbuckling young talent Ashby.
Newcastle meanwhile have Kieran Trippier and Javier Manquillo but the latter has been linked with a move away from Tyneside this summer.
Many Hammers supporters would be loathe to lose Ashby, who has shown great promise during first team appearances over the last couple of seasons.
So West Ham fans were understandably concerned when Ashby’s social media activity this week appeared to suggest a move to Newcastle might be on the cards.
Now Sky Sports have issued a crushing update on the Newcastle move to sign West Ham star Ashby.
In a breaking news announcement this afternoon Sky Sports claims talks are ongoing between Newcastle and West Ham over a deal for the defender, who only has a year left on his Hammers deal.
And Newcastle are tempting Ashby with the promise of being a bona fide member of the Magpies’ first team squad.
“The breaking news is that Newcastle are in talks with West Ham over their defender Harrison Ashby,” Sky Sports announced this afternoon.
“He’s a right-back, he’s highly rated by David Moyes but only has one year left on his contract. And Newcastle of course are looking for cover in that position… so Ashby would actually be seen as a player for Newcastle’s first team.”
Sky Sports’ North East reporter Keith Downie then followed that up with more details on Newcastle’s move for the 20-year-old Hammer.
“Newcastle are in talks with West Ham over defender Harrison Ashby,” Downie said on Twitter.
“Eddie Howe needs cover following ACL injury to Emil Krafth. Scottish U21 right-back Ashby is highly rated & has only one-year left on his Hammers deal.
“Would be for first team if deal gets done.”
Swashbuckling and pacy Ashby is seen as one of the rising West Ham academy stars who can genuinely make the step up to the first team and become a fully fledged future Scotland international.
So losing him to a rival such as Newcastle would be a major blow.