Newcastle United failed to sign Harrison Ashby on deadline day after Premier League rivals West Ham United pulled the plug on the deal due to Ben Johnson’s hamstring problem, as reported by The Athletic.
With Emil Krafth out of action for the foreseeable future with a cruciate ligament injury, Newcastle went into the final few hours of the window chasing cover for Kieran Trippier on the right-hand side of Eddie Howe’s defence.
The only problem is, West Ham have injury problems of their own.
Talks between the Hammers and the Magpies over 20-year-old Ashby reached an ‘advanced stage’ around midday. That was until West Ham got cold feet, opting to retain the Scotland U21 international due to fitness concerns surrounding another crocked right-back; the talented Ben Johnson.
Johnson lasted just 23 minutes of Sunday’s 1-0 win at Aston Villa before being forced off. A deal for Ashby might still have been possible had West Ham brought in a replacement, but a bid for former Chelsea, Fulham and Hull City defender Ola Aina failed to tempt Torino into a sale.
West Ham offered a £7 million package for Aina. Torino, however, had little interest in cashing in with so little time to find an adequate replacement. As such, Ashby will instead continue his development in claret-and-blue rather than black-and-white.
Newcastle United failed to sign West Ham’s Harrison Ashby
“It’s a huge privilege that they’ve given me the opportunity to train with (the first-team),” Ashby told the Hammers’ official website in July.
“I think I’ve done well. And I’m really glad that I’ve been able to push hard to get myself in and around the first-team again.
“The aim is to push myself into the first-team and battle with the right-backs that are currently ahead of me. I want to push myself on, push them on, and battle to win the spot in the team.”
Leeds United reportedly showed an interest in Ashby too, per Alan Nixon. The former Chelsea youngster has played just once so far this season, against Viborg in the UEFA Conference League qualifiers.
The Athletic say that West Ham have now triggered the one-year extension clause in Ashby’s contract.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
