Newcastle agree deal to sign highly-rated West Ham youngster as Howe plans for future domination

Newcastle United have reportedly agreed on a fee with West Ham to sign promising defender Harrison Ashby this January, according to reports.

The Magpies attempted to sign the 21-year-old right-back last summer, but the Hammers refused to let their prospect leave at the time.

Now, Newcastle have agreed to pay West Ham £3m, including addons, to bring the highly-rated youngster to St. James’ Park.

According to Sky Sports News, Ashby is now due to travel to Tyneside to complete his medical in the coming hours. If all goes well, the Englishman will provide cover and competition for Kieran Trippier for the remainder of the season.

He will become Newcastle’s third January addition after they signed 18-year-old Garang Kuol early in the month, while they are expected to announce the arrival of Everton winger Anthony Gordon in the very near future.

The boyhood Evertonian is expected to command a fee of £40m, rising to £45m with performance-related addons. 

Indeed, it seems that Eddie Howe is focused on bringing in top-quality young players as he aims to solidify Newcastle’s spot at the top of the Premier League.

The English manager has also made signing a new right-back a priority this winter, after the Magpies were heavily linked with Real Vallodid’s Ivan Fresneda recently.

But, with a January deal now looking unlikely, Howe has instead opted to bring in Ashby as an alternative.

The youngster has been at West Ham since the age of nine, making his first team debut as an 18-year-old in 2020, before his first Premier League appearance in December 2021.

Ashby was also named in three of West Ham’s squads at the start of the current campaign, but David Moyes hasn’t included him since.

He did make one start in the Europa Conference League though, coming off the bench in a 3-0 away win over Romanian club FCSB.

Despite this, Ashby has been looking for a way out of West Ham after refusing to sign a new contract, with his current deal set to expire at the end of the season.

For this reason, it makes sense for the Hammers to cash in on the youngster now while they can still recoup some transfer funds for their own business.

As for Newcastle, their need for immediate cover at right-back is clear, as Emil Krafth is expected to be sidelined for the rest of the season with an injury and Javier Manquillo is currently Howe’s only other option.

With that in mind, Ashby could be set to get some more playing time with the Magpies, as they aim to clinch their first top four finish since 2003.

READ MORE: Transfer gossip: Newcastle, Spurs linked with £100m Chelsea flop; Guendouzi back to the Prem?