Newcastle United have marked signing a right-back a priority for January. But the Toon are waiting on Eddie Howe to green light a transfer for West Ham United gem Harrison Ashby.
That is according to Sky Sports, which reports Howe led the Toon’s interest in a transfer for West Ham gem Ashby this summer. The St James’ Park boss is a keen fan of the Hammers prospect. Yet he has not given Newcastle the go-ahead to revisit their failed pursuit so far.
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Howe remains intent on strengthening his options at right-back come the January transfer window. He believes Newcastle lack depth in the area behind his undisputed first-choice in Kieran Trippier. Even though Emil Krafth and Javier Manquillo are still on the Toon’s books.
Manquillo, however, only featured in one Premier League fixture before the top-flight hit pause for the World Cup. Howe fielded the 28-year-old from the bench as Newcastle beat Southampton on November 6. While Krafth has been sidelined since his only appearance.
Krafth appeared as a stoppage-time substitute at home to Manchester City on August 21. But the 28-year-old then ruptured his cruciate ligament after starting the Toon’s Carabao Cup second-round win against Tranmere Rovers. He was involved in training in November.
Newcastle are waiting on Howe to secure the transfer for Ashby from West Ham
Newcastle are now waiting on Howe to give his final go-ahead to revive the club’s transfer interest in West Ham gem Ashby in January. The 21-year-old has so far only enjoyed seven senior appearances at the London Stadium. Just two of his outings have been this season.
David Moyes has further opted against naming Ashby in any of his Premier League squads since August. While the Irons product’s only appearances came in Europe with one start in a Conference League qualifier against Viborg FF, plus a cameo in the group stage at FCSB.
Now, the Scotland U21 defender’s future in claret-and-blue is in doubt. The Mirror (30/11, p51) reported that Ashby is ‘frustrated’ by his lack of chances at West Ham. It also added that Newcastle have revived their interest in securing Ashby’s transfer from the Hammers.
While first-team chances at West Ham have proven hard to come by for Ashby, Newcastle have reason to be interested in his transfer. Former Irons U21 boss Dmitri Halajko, who is now the sporting director at Colchester United, lauded Ashby as a ‘tremendous’ prospect.
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