Newcastle United are reportedly trying to sign Harrison Ashby on transfer deadline day.
That’s according to the Daily Mail, who state that the Magpies are waiting for a response from West Ham and want to sign the 20-year-old today.
Eddie Howe’s need for another right-back has increased over the past week. Emil Krafth started against Tranmere last Wednesday in the Carabao Cup, but was stretchered off. It’s since been confirmed that he could be out of action for the next six to nine months.
Krafth’s season could be over, meaning Newcastle need another option on the right of defence. And that’s why Dan Ashworth is pursuing a deal for Ashby during the final hours of the transfer window.
Ashby to Newcastle the only signing on the cards right now
While getting another body through the door, the Daily Mail have provided a somewhat worrying update alongside the move for Ashby.
They state that a deal for the Hammers youngster is the only one being pursued right now.
With just hours to go in the transfer window, that is not good news with regards to our hopes of signing a centre-midfielder.
The need for a midfielder is arguably greater than the need for a right-back. However, it appears that Ashby is the only likely arrival at this moment in time.
Considering supporters were hoping for a last-gasp move for Youri Tielemans, that is disappointing.
However, there is no point signing players for the sake of it. If Newcastle aren’t pursuing any other deals, it has to be because they can’t land the right players.
But there is still some time left before the 11pm deadline. Ashworth and co will no doubt be working tirelessly, and have proven with the Alexander Isak arrival that they can pull out a deal from nowhere.
Hopefully we can complete the Ashby signing soon and Newcastle can refocus their transfer efforts elsewhere.