Leeds United want Harrison Ashby as they consider a late deadline day move for the West Ham United defender.
The Whites are expected to be in the market for a winger or striker today, especially given Rodrigo’s injury against Everton on Tuesday night.
A deal for Cody Gakpo won’t be happening though and Victor Orta must now turn to other targets.
Few would have predicted another right back being targeted before the deadline, but Leeds appear to fancy West Ham talent Ashby.
Leeds United want Harrison Ashby
The Sun’s Alan Nixon reports via Patreon that Leeds have asked about signing Ashby before tonight’s transfer deadline.
It’s suggested that Ashby is at least interested in a move but West Ham aren’t sure whether or not to let him go.
Ashby, 20, has played six times for West Ham’s first team and made his Premier League debut last season.
On the bench for West Ham’s opening three games of the Premier League season, Ashby started and played 90 minutes against Viborg in the first leg of West Ham’s Europa Conference League qualifier in August.
Yet with Vladimir Coufal and Ben Johnson competing at right back – and new signing Thilo Kehrer also capable of playing there – Ashby’s path to first-team football seems to be blocked.
Leeds may now look to make an offer with the idea of nurturing him into a Premier League player at Elland Road.
Leeds did sign a right back earlier this summer in Rasmus Kristensen but may still fancy a move for Ashby.
This comes just after Newcastle United seemingly backed away from the race for Ashby.
Reports from The Daily Mail over the weekend suggested that Newcastle were ready to offer £2.5million for Ashby.
The idea was for Ashby to offer competition for Kieran Trippier in light of a serious injury to Emil Krafth.
However, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has told Newcastle World that the Magpies are not looking to sign a right back despite Krafth’s injury.
That seemingly rules out a deal for Ashby, and may leave Leeds at the front of the queue for his signature.
Leeds do love signing young talent under Victor Orta and even signed a West Ham youngster this summer in Sonny Perkins.
Ashby could now follow Perkins to Elland Road, but the clock is ticking.
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