Michael ReevesSwansea City’s transfer links have taken a new turn as Newcastle’s Harrison Ashby is rumoured to be a target for a loan move to SA1 just six months after making the move to the North East from West Ham.
It was a £3m fee that persuaded the Hammers to part company with the player in January and whilst he is yet to make his senior debut for the Magpies he is highly rated at St. James Park and was an unused substitute for their last two Premier League games of last season.
He did feature in Newcastle’s 3-2 friendly win against Gateshead on Saturday.
First team football chances do seem limited with the new season around the corner and that seems to suggest that he will go out on loan this season to continue his development. Long term Newcastle are said to see him as the potential successor to England international Kieran Trippier and they will want to see their investment in the player continue this coming season even if that means his football maybe played elsewhere.
Speaking recently former Newcastle right back Warren Barton suggested that a loan move away from the club telling the Chronicle “He needs to be patient. That is hard for a young player and he may need to go on loan for a season in the Premier League or Championship just to get a good run of games under his belt.
“There’s a couple of players in that position who may be ahead of him and it depends if they leave. Tripper is a hell of a benchmark he is a supreme athlete but they will be grooming this kid to be his successor.
“It depends upon him, what’s his attitude like in training and how ambitious is he. It can be difficult coming from West Ham where you’re comfortable and you come up to a club where you are playing for the Under-21s.
“It can be a challenge and it may be one of those where for six months you earn your stripes and get games and experience under your belt.”
Upon signing the player back in January, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said “Harrison is a very talented young player with a lot of potential so we are delighted to sign him.
“He has very good attributes so we are looking forward to working with him in this exciting new chapter of his career.”
The Swans are known to be in the market for some Premier League loans for the new season with Ashby a potential signing along with goalkeeper Carl Rushworth from Brighton. Ashby would be a natural addition given the recent departure of Manning and Latibeaudiere and it does feel that the Swans would offer him regular first team football which would be a condition of any loan away from the North East.
We watch this one with interest as it does feel as if it would be a good signing if we can pull it off.
get it done sooner than later.We need players in sharpish so Mr duff can get stuck in with his message.