Former West Ham United coach Stuart Pearce believes Harrison Ashby’s move to Premier League rivals Newcastle United is a deal that suits all parties down to the ground, speaking to talkSPORT (30 January, 12pm).
If Ashby was, say, a left-back rather than a right-back, the Scotland U21 international might already be a key part of David Moyes’ first-team plans at the London Stadium.
But, while the Hammers are lacking in depth on the left-hand side, you cannot say the same about their options on the opposite flank. Ashby has Vladimir Coufal, Ben Johnson and Thilo Kehrer all ahead of him in the claret-and-blue pecking order, and has therefore not played a single minute of Premier League football in 2022/23.
The talented, attack-minded Ashby should find opportunities easier to come by at Newcastle. Javi Manquillo feels like a player on borrowed time at St James’ Park. Emil Krafth, meanwhile, remains sidelined for the forseable future.
Harrison Ashby is about to leave West Ham for Newcastle
“I think that suits both clubs,” says Pearce, who worked as a player and a coach at the Hammers. “It is good money for West Ham. They’ll get a sell on clause.
“It suits the kid, gives him a new challenge. West Ham get the money. And Newcastle get a player they hope will get better and kick on.”
Newcastle are reportedly paying around £3 million for Ashby (The Athletic). The Milton Keynes-born 21-year-old is exactly kind of hungry, up-and-coming, improving talent Eddie Howe and sporting director Dan Ashworth like to work with.
Newcastle’s pursuit of Ashby, meanwhile, should bring an end to their chase for Ivan Fresneda. The Real Valladolid starlet is also high on the radar of Mikel Arteta’s Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Labelled a ‘top player’ by former West Ham U23 coach Dmitri Halajko; one-time Chelsea youngster Ashby is an impressive crosser of a ball from the right-hand side. He produced six assists alongside three goals for the reserves in 2021/22.
Ashby should only benefit from training alongside one of the game’s most creative full-backs at Newcastle; a certain Kieran Trippier.
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